Govt to publish white paper on AL-era education sector corruption: Milon

Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon said on Thursday that the government has decided to investigate widespread irregularities and corruption committed in the education sector during the past Awami League-led “fascist regime”, and will publish a white paper based on the findings.

In a written reply to a question from Pabna-5 MP Md Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas during Thursday’s parliamentary session, the minister said, “The government has placed policy level importance on initiating an investigation process to review irregularities and corruption in the education sector from the 2008-09 to 2024-25 fiscal years.”

He added that the Ministry of Education has issued necessary directives to relevant authorities so that possible irregularities, corruption and administrative weaknesses during the period can be thoroughly examined and a comprehensive report prepared.

Following the investigation, the government will decide on publishing a white paper based on analysis of the collected data, with phased public release after verification.

In another query, MP Shimul Biswas referred to a Directorate of Inspection and Audit (DIA) report covering 973 educational institutions inspected between 1 July and 31 December 2025, which identified widespread irregularities, and asked what action had been taken.

The minister said action had already been taken against 330 college-level lecturers over fake and forged certificates.

He noted, “The Directorate of Inspection and Audit (DIA), under the Ministry of Education, regularly conducts inspections and audits… these activities have uncovered various types of irregularities.”

He further stated that between 2014 and 2019, action was taken against 202 college-level lecturers. Of them, salaries and allowances of 74 MPO-listed teachers were suspended from July 2023, while 128 non-MPO lecturers faced departmental action by governing bodies.

“The government will continue to take strict action against all involved to prevent such irregularities in the future,” the minister added.