Moussa al-Megarief, Libya’s Education Minister, has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison for mismanagement leading to a textbook shortage in 2021. He was fined 1,000 dinars and deprived of civil rights for the duration of his sentence. Al-Megarief faced accusations of favoritism in contract management.

Moussa al-Megarief, Libya’s Education Minister, has been sentenced to three and a half years imprisonment due to a textbook shortage dating back to 2021, as announced by the attorney-general’s office. Additionally, he was fined 1,000 dinars (approximately $200) and will lose his civil rights throughout his sentence and one year thereafter.

Al-Megarief, who is part of the national unity government, was convicted of violating equal treatment principles, favoring one party, and mismanaging contracts regarding the textbook printing. This case stems from the 2021 school year, during which a significant textbook shortage forced families to purchase photocopies of materials that should have been provided without cost to students in public schools.

Investigations were launched into al-Megarief’s handling of contracts for the printing of textbooks and the reasons behind the shortage. Although he was initially released due to a lack of evidence, he later returned to his duties as Education Minister. He attributed the failure to provide textbooks to the need for unifying the school curriculum across Libya’s three regions, which reportedly hindered payments to suppliers.

The conviction of Moussa al-Megarief highlights critical issues within Libya’s education system, particularly the management of resources and contractual agreements related to educational materials. The case underscores the impact of administrative lapses on students and families, emphasizing the need for accountability in public service. Al-Megarief’s assertions about curriculum unification present a broader context for understanding the complexities of education in Libya.

Original Source: www.thenews.com.pk