The Shadow Scholars
Oxford professor Patricia Kingori investigates the hidden, multi-billion dollar 'fake essay' industry.
An estimated 40,000 highly-educated Kenyans make ends meet by writing academic papers to order for global students. These ‘shadow scholars’ – graduates unable to find employment – enable students in countries like the UK to graduate and move into lucrative jobs.
As Patricia travels to Nairobi to meet the ghostwriters, she sheds light on an invisible workforce and asks what value can be placed in academic institutions when degrees can be bought without effort?