Libya’s Education Minister Detained Amidst Textbook Printing Scandal
In a development that underscores persistent challenges within Libya’s education sector, authorities have detained the acting Minister of Education, Ali Al-Abed. The move follows an investigation into alleged shortcomings in the printing of school textbooks, according to a report by Annahar. This incident mirrors a similar case that led to the imprisonment of the previous minister, Moussa Al-Mgaref, just seven months prior.
Details of the Investigation
The investigation, spearheaded by the Public Prosecutor’s office, has resulted in the detention of both the acting Minister and the Director-General of the Educational Curricula and Research Center. The charges include causing damage to public interests and violating the right to education. This follows Moussa Al-Mgaref’s conviction in March for his role in the 2021 textbook shortage crisis.
According to a statement released by the Public Prosecutor’s office on Facebook, the investigation into the contracting procedures for the 2025-2026 academic year’s textbooks revealed several irregularities. These include mismanagement of administrative and financial procedures, as well as the failure to ensure the availability of textbooks for two million students on schedule, as outlined in the approved education strategy.
Impact on Students and Schools
The repercussions of these issues were felt acutely when the academic year began approximately two months late, on October 20th. At that time, over 2.5 million students lacked textbooks, forcing families to bear additional costs for photocopies. School textbooks are typically distributed free of charge in Libyan public schools, from primary to secondary levels, with a specific budget allocated for this purpose within the Ministry.
Context and Implications
This situation highlights ongoing issues of corruption and mismanagement that continue to plague Libya’s educational system. The repeated disruptions to the availability of textbooks have significant consequences for students’ education. The recent detentions signal an effort by authorities to address these issues, although the long-term impact remains to be seen.
Source: Annahar
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