Education Minister refers corruption case to Public Prosecution

Minister of Education Sayed Jalal Al-Tabtabaei has ordered that a case of corruption and violations involving several parties be referred to the Public Prosecution.

The Al-Jarida daily said the Ministry’s Inspection and Audit Office found these discrepancies. According to a statement issued today, the Ministry said this has resulted in significant damage and decline in the facilities and services of several educational institutions, despite the existence of valid maintenance contracts.

Investigations by the Ministry’s legal department found manipulation in invoices, failure to apply contractual penalties, and negligence in carrying out required works — irregularities that placed certain school facilities at risk and jeopardized their operational safety.

Minister Al-Tabtabaei affirmed the Ministry’s determination to strengthen monitoring and follow-up mechanisms, while taking firm legal action against any individual or entity proven to have harmed public interest or tampered with educational properties. He stressed that accountability will apply to all without exception or leniency.

He added that the Ministry is pursuing a comprehensive reform strategy centered on continuous contract auditing, evaluating the performance of implementing companies, and revising work procedures to ensure higher efficiency and improved school readiness.

Al-Tabtabaei emphasized that the Ministry will not tolerate any practices that undermine discipline or affect the quality of the educational environment.

The Minister noted that referring the case to the Public Prosecution is part of fulfilling national responsibility and upholding the political leadership’s directives to combat corruption and strengthen transparency across government institutions. Protecting educational establishments and safeguarding the rights of students and staff, he stressed, is a red line that cannot be crossed.

He concluded by reaffirming the Ministry’s readiness to take any further measures necessary to ensure the safety and continued readiness of educational facilities, highlighting that cooperation between the Ministry’s departments and oversight bodies is essential to preserving public funds and maintaining a safe, reliable learning environment.