Corruption in South African schools on rise

Reports of irregularities in South African school management have been rising, according to a survey released on Monday. The survey, conducted by Corruption Watch, a non-profit civil society organization, showed that 53 percent of respondents believe that corruption in schools is generally getting worse. Seven in ten people surveyed believed that school principals were the main persons behind corruption. In terms of soliciting favors from learners in exchange for better marks, six out of ten said teachers were responsible for this. The survey polled 3,284 people aged between 13 and 34 via website, SMS hotline, and telephone. Almost half of the respondents were pupils at school or at further education and training colleges, while 31 percent were family members of a school learner, said Corruption Watch. Comments from the South African Education Department were not immediately available.