Moussa al-Megarief, Libya’s education minister, has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison and fined for his role in a 2021 textbook shortage. He was accused of favoritism in contract management, affecting public school materials. Despite initial release due to lack of evidence, he faced repercussions for mismanagement in education.

Libya’s education minister, Moussa al-Megarief, has received a prison sentence of three and a half years due to a textbook scandal linked to a shortage that began in 2021. As announced by the attorney-general’s office, the Tripoli court of appeal also imposed a fine of 1,000 dinars (approximately $200) and stripped him of his civil rights for the duration of his sentence, plus an additional year after that.

Megarief, associated with the national unity government, was charged with violating the principle of equality by favoring an unnamed party in the contract management related to textbook printing. The investigation focused on his handling of contractual processes and the reasons for the textbook shortage that affected the 2021 school year, forcing parents to incur additional costs for photocopied materials that should have been provided for free in public schools.

Although initial investigations resulted in his release due to insufficient evidence, he resumed his role as education minister. Megarief cited the unification of Libya’s school curriculum across its three regions as the cause of the textbook shortage, claiming this impacted supplier payments.

The conviction of Moussa al-Megarief highlights significant issues within Libya’s education system, particularly the consequences of mismanagement in contract handling for essential educational materials. His actions led to a shortage of free textbooks, forcing parents to seek alternative solutions financially. Ultimately, this case underscores the need for accountability in public service and education governance in Libya.

Original Source: www.thenews.com.pk