ACC Regional Managers North Abu Bakarr Kamara commended the schools administration for the willingness demonstrated in accepting ACC in their midst. Manager Kamara underscored the importance of the meeting and described it as a way to encourage pupils to cultivate the values of integrity in their ways of life.
The Regional Manager referred to corruption as a systemic and ethical problem which thrives where integrity is deficient. He outlined some of the corrupt practices taking place in schools such as; the payment for report cards/results, sexually transmitted grades, payment for grades and assignments, promotion and the misuse of school fees subsidies. Mr Kamara urged the Principals to intensify their supervision of teachers and take appropriate actions where officials default.
He encouraged the pupils to report any of the aforementioned wrongdoings to the ACC. He further entreated the pupils to take their work seriously and imbibe the culture of transparency and sincerity in their daily life.
Speaking to staff and pupils of the schools, ACC Public Education Officer Abdulai Saccoh said, the engagement was a deliberate attempt by the Commission to highlight practices that are of concern to the Commission. Mr. Saccoh noted that graft is a menace and can lead to deprivation of the poor of essential social services. The Public Education Officer emphasized that corruption, in all forms, should not be entertained as it has the tendency to undermine not only the Free Quality Education programme but other development aspirations of the country. Mr. Saccoh dilated on the benefits and importance of reporting corrupt practices to the ACC, how to report, and the protection for whistleblowers.
He warned staff and pupils to refrain from making false and malicious reports as that too constitutes an offence. Public Educator Saccoh, read out the mobile hotlines and urged pupils to reject, resist and report to the ACC cases of corruption that they encounter in schools and in their communities.
The schools authorities promised to adhere to the ACC messages and appealed to the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education for the approval of more teachers in their schools.
