Editorial
Utilising funds in education sector
Need to free it from corruption
THE need for proper and, more particularly, corruption-free untilisation of funds in the education sector, as stressed by the education minister recently at a seminar, cannot be over-emphasised. And since, the sector is considered prone to corruption and the allocation to it is increasing by the year, especial attention is to be paid to see that the funds allocated in this sector are not misused or wasted.
It is worth mentioning that the teachers, especially in primary education, are not paid well and this important sub-sector is in a quandary, although timely distribution of textbooks has been a marked improvement. That brings to the fore the need for rationalisation of allocation with a focus around this level of education.
But before ensuring proper utilisation of educational funds, it is important to identify the loopholes through which the corruption takes place. And as in every other case of corruption, it is again the administration that handles educational funds should be brought under closer scrutiny.
So, as the first step towards ensuring a corruption-free education system, it would be necessary to overhaul the education administration from the ministry level down to the managing committee of the primary schools. Unless the managing committees are staffed with professional people instead of partisan elements, removal of corruption and other forms of malpractices will remain a far cry.
One cannot but agree with this lofty goal of the new education policy as conceived by the government and spelt out by the education minister. But how is the government going to achieve that?
It is only through addressing systemic lacunae in the educational administration that the slogan of eradicating educational corruption can be materialised.
Since corruption or mismanagement of funds starts at the top level of the administration, the first task would be to ensure that the leadership at the top cannot be touched by corruption or any partisan interest.
Obviously, mere exhortations and expression of pious wishes will not do. Appropriate institutional reforms will have to be carried out to make the system foolproof. There are volumes of recommendations awaiting implementation in this regard. The government should now prioritise the goal for a new, need-oriented, dynamic and corruption-free education system.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. 
Related News
India’s ‘push-in’ strategy violates international law
9 hour(s) ago
Editorial
Why build roads through a reserved forest?
20 June 2026, 13:00 PM
Editorial
An alarming report on children’s exposure to climate risks
19 June 2026, 19:07 PM
Editorial
Why is safe water inaccessible for millions despite rising spending?
19 June 2026, 08:00 AM
Editorial
BB must confront bad loans’ true scale
18 June 2026, 18:38 PM
Editorial
Comments