Sextortion, ghost teachers, and exams for sale

A sweeping investigation by Transparency International has revealed what it describes as a "direct assault on human rights" in education systems across several African countries, including Zimbabwe, driven by corruption, exam fraud, ghost workers, and sexual exploitation of learners.

The report, titled "Left Behind: Corruption in education and health services in Africa," examines education sectors in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Ghana, Madagascar, Rwanda, and Zimbabwe, highlighting systemic failures in recruitment, payroll management, procurement, and oversight.

Researchers found that weak accountability mechanisms have enabled widespread abuse, disproportionately affecting vulnerable groups such as rural learners, children with disabilities, and low-income households.

One of the most alarming findings is the prevalence of "sextortion," where students are allegedly coerced into providing sexual favours in exchange for grades, school placements, internships, or scholarships. The report notes that such cases are significantly underreported due to stigma and fear of retaliation.

"The evidence shows that discriminatory and gendered corruption is entrenched across systems," said Paul Banoba, Africa regional advisor at Transparency International.

In Rwanda, female students were reported to be particularly exposed in school-related opportunities such as feeding programmes and internships. In Madagascar, more than 60% of parents of children with disabilities reported exclusion from education due to illicit fees or discriminatory practices.

The report also highlights financial barriers affecting poor and rural households, with informal payments and favouritism restricting access to bursaries and schooling opportunities.

In the DRC, more than 56% of respondents admitted to paying or witnessing bribes to secure school placements, while Ghana continues to struggle with payroll fraud involving so-called "ghost workers," who remain on state payrolls despite not working.

According to education expert Albert Rwego Kavatiri, weak community oversight structures such as parent–teacher associations lack the authority and protection needed to hold institutions accountable.

Zimbabwe was singled out as facing particularly severe challenges, with 72% of respondents acknowledging bribery in school admissions. The report notes that academic integrity is increasingly being compromised through illicit payments linked to exam leakage and grading manipulation.

A Zimbabwean teacher cited in the study said exam paper leaks, once isolated incidents, have now become widespread across schools.

The report further alleges that some educators are involved in practices where exam papers are accessed in advance or even written on behalf of students in exchange for bribes, undermining national education standards.

It also points to low and unstable teacher salaries as a key driver of corruption, pushing educators into private tutoring despite it being prohibited under Zimbabwean law. This has contributed to a two-tier system that disadvantages students unable to afford extra lessons.

Transparency International has called on African governments to implement urgent reforms, including digitised payroll systems to eliminate ghost workers, stronger whistleblower protections, and explicit criminalisation of sextortion.

The organisation warned that without decisive action, efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goals on quality education and gender equality will be undermined.

"Corruption in education is not a victimless administrative failure," said Banoba. "It is a barrier that continues to block the path toward a fair and equal society."