Delivering his lecture, ACC Sub-Regional Manager Kono Wilfred Bangura described corruption as ‘the misuse of entrusted power by public officers for personal gains’.He said corruption in the education sector may lead to broader academic dishonesty which he said, include among others fraud (plagiarism and manipulation of results) that undermine academic integrity. He said, when checks and balances, strong management leadership and a culture of academic honesty are missing, breaches of academic integrity among staff and pupils may go undetected or unpunished. Mr. Bangura said if schools do not address these risks and take steps to rectify them, the whole system of higher education can be undermined. He mentioned corruption that occurs in the form of small favors between a small number of people (petty corruption), corruption that affects the government on a large scale (grand corruption), and corruption that is so prevalent that is part of the everyday structure of society, including organized crime. In concluding his presentation, Mr. Bangura cautioned all to be corrupt free.
In his submission, ACC Public Education Assistant, Sahr Nabieu admonished staff and pupils of Ansarul Islamic Boys Secondary School to prepare their minds to become agents in the fight against graft. He said the Public Education Department is charged with the responsibility to raise awareness on the mandate and work of the Commission. He stressed that young people are key in eradicating corruption hence, the need to catch the young with the message. He further elucidated on the three-pronged approach used by the Commission in the fight against corruption which he said were prevention, education and prosecution of corrupt individuals.
Making a statement, the Senior Investigations Officer, Momodu Sittar highlighted common offences committed within the school setting ranging from teachers requesting pupils to pay for assignments, abuse of girls for grades and bribery for promotion. He said that young people should resist and reject all forms of corruption within the school system. Mr. Momodu Sittar said the fight against corruption should be part of the daily activities of pupils and encouraged them to report any suspected corrupt practice to the Commission at all times.
Earlier, the Principal of the School, James Sampha Kamara lauded the Commission for delivering the lecture. He maintained that, the Commission was gradually assisting the Ministry of Education and the schools in improving education in the District.
Questions and answers climaxed the occasion.
