According to sources, the prosecution in Libya has ordered the detention of the acting Minister of Education, Ali Al‑Abed, and the Director-General of the Curriculum Centre, in connection with a major corruption case concerning the printing of school books.
The investigation revealed administrative and financial irregularities in the contracts for printing the books, which caused the ministry’s plan to be delayed and breached its duty to provide textbooks for more than two million pupils at the start of the 2025-26 academic year.
Moreover, Libyan sources say the issue stems from the minister awarding a contract to a newly-established local company called Al Basheer for Printing & Publishing to supply around 15 million textbooks from Italy for approximately 90 million Libyan dinars, despite the original deal being distributed among nine local firms for a total of 127 million dinars.
On 29 October the minister cancelled those nine contracts and shifted the task directly to Al Basheer, which according to the available data was founded with a capital of no more than 30 000 dinars and was awarded the new contract via direct tender for 129 million dinars, with approval from the Central Bank of Libya granting special exemptions.
The Central Bank later decided to halt all of the company’s transactions, while the Libyan Audit Bureau formally requested oversight of the printing operations.
On 30 October the minister appeared in a televised interview defending himself, stating that 70 % of the textbooks had been completed and that distribution would continue, adding that Al Basheer had the financial capacity to fulfil the contract with the Italian firm. He also announced the removal of the Curriculum Centre’s director and the appointment of his deputy to manage the centre.
Al-Abed is currently holding three ministerial portfolios in the Government of National Unity Education, Labour and Civil Service, after previous ministers resigned amidst other corruption allegations.
This case follows recent controversy arising from the minister’s remarks in a recorded statement where he alleged that some teachers use drugs, and said he had directed that forms be filled to document the professional history of each teacher. The teachers’ union has reacted angrily and demanded an official apology, saying the minister insulted them instead of addressing the textbook delay crisis.