Fraud continues unabated
Ignorance expensive
If you think education is very expensive in Kuwait, try ignorance and you will discover its cost is much higher.
I read the newspapers every day hoping I will come across a statement made by the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Higher Education to ‘revive’ the Committee that was formed to look into the issue of fake certificates in the education sector – the least expected.
Feeling disappointed, I look for a statement from the Minister of Education, Minister of Higher Education to disclose name of at least one person who is holding a fake certificate — a teacher or a university professor.
When I do not find anything, I expect a firm action from the Kuwait Association of University Professors on the issue of fake certificates. Silence may mean either collusion due to the involvement of some of them, or sympathy with them and unwilling to disclose fraud in order to protect what remains of the Kuwait University reputation.
Or perhaps, because the association has been instructed not to touch the issue of manipulation in degrees and doctorate certificates hoping the scandal will die with time, when the issue is completely either forgotten or totally ignored.
It looks crystal clear our technocratic government does not want to open the file of fake certificates to protect the homes of a ‘few thousand’ forgers, irrespective whether this negative attitude subverts the minds of tens of thousands of students.
It looks like we have no recourse but to resort to the judiciary to solve this problem, especially after our morale got a boost following the verdict by the Court of Cassation not to recognize British university degrees after taking into account the years of practical experience during the tenure of their study or educational grades.
The Cassation Court justified its refusal because the educational system in Kuwait does not recognize this system because it violates the decisions of the Ministry of Higher Education. This final ruling by the Court of Cassation overturned the verdict of a lower court which had accepted the accreditation by such universities.
We hope the new Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education, who once was the Undersecretary at the Ministry and part of the process of revealing the names of fake certificates holders, will put an end to this scandal and a decision by the Council of Ministers will allow him to name names of holders of fake certificates complete with their places of work and designation and give them the option to resign or refer them to the Prosecution.
The closure of this file, which represents a moral, humanitarian and educational scandal, should not be ignored otherwise I would not hesitate to file a case against the ministry on this issue, because I feel harm has been caused to me.
The problem of forging educational certificates has become common and is increasing and has now seeped into various disciplines. Forgery has become rampant in various ministries and private universities.
It is common knowledge that big gangs in Europe, Pakistan and India are at the heart of frauds and forgeries. If there was no demand, they would not continue in their dangerous trade which is punishable by law.
This practice is a crime against the homeland and should not be tolerated. We repeat those who believe education is expensive should try ignorance and find it more expensive. Those who graduate under the forgers are ignorant.