In the global education sector, where partnerships are built on trust and mutual growth, there's an issue that too often lingers in the shadows: unpaid invoices. For many small to mid-sized agencies and educational institutions, these unpaid amounts aren't just numbers on a balance sheet—they represent broken trust, strained operations, and emotional fatigue.

Over the past few years, professionals across the industry have quietly shared their stories. A small agency, after years of loyal collaboration with a prominent school network, found itself ignored and unpaid for a significant commission. Another school lost tens of thousands of euros to a partner that disappeared after a successful recruitment season. These are not isolated incidents.

While the international education industry thrives on collaboration, the legal and financial safeguards often lag behind. In some cases, companies restructure or dissolve and re-emerge under new names, with the same leadership and staff, leaving former partners in limbo. The lines between what is legal and what is ethical can blur, leaving smaller entities with little recourse.

What makes this issue particularly painful is the silence that surrounds it. Many are reluctant to speak out publicly for fear of damaging their reputations or jeopardizing future opportunities. There is an unspoken rule that one must simply endure these setbacks and move on.

But moving on isn't easy when unpaid commissions affect an agency's ability to pay its own staff, invest in marketing, or even remain operational. The emotional impact—the sense of betrayal and helplessness—can be just as heavy as the financial burden.

The question, then, is not just about how to recover funds, but how to prevent these situations from happening in the first place. Clear contracts with explicit payment terms, third-party escrow services, and a stronger culture of transparency within the sector could be part of the solution. Informal peer networks can also help share information about reliable and unreliable partners, even if done discreetly.

As the international education community continues to grow and evolve, it's time to bring this conversation into the open. Addressing the issue of unpaid invoices isn't just about finances; it's about fostering a culture of accountability, trust, and mutual respect.

Silence may protect reputations in the short term, but dialogue is what will safeguard the future of ethical partnerships in global education.