ACC takes the crusade against corruption to schools in Kenema
The eastern regional office of the Anti-Corruption Commission has taken the crusade against corruption to schools in Kenema. (Photo: addressing Holy Rosary Secondary School, Kenema)
The campaign which is the first to be mounted in Kenema was meant to explain to both pupils and teachers the operations of the ACC the bad effects of corruption, the benefits the nation stands to enjoy if all join the Commission to fight against corruption. It was also meant to promote the virtues of integrity and patriotism in the pupils and make them into a formidable anti-corruption force.
Addressing pupils in the various schools, the leader of the team, Mr. Peter Baio Kamara said that people usually judge the Commission by the number of high profile arrests, prosecutions and convictions. He said that the ACC has the education and prevention departments. The education department carries out public education in institutions and communities on the bad effects of corruption and the good things a corrupt free country stands to gain. He said that the Systems and Process Review department looks into existing systems, practices and procedures in government ministries departments and agencies, identifies, corruption prone areas and makes recommendations on best practice. He highlighted several successes of the ACC and emphasized that much could be achieved with the help of all present.
Holy Rosary Secondary School, Kenema
The Public Education Officer Eastern Region, Mr. David Kanehkey Conteh catalogued late coming, truancy, cheating, exams malpractices, shabby dressing and violence as marks of low integrity. He said if pupils grow up with these vices they will surely do the same when they start work as public officers. He therefore encouraged pupils to desist from such practices and imbibe the culture of integrity, which will make them good citizens in society. Mr. Conteh further identified practices going on in schools that the
Commission frowns at such as illegal charges, dodging of classes by teachers, forcing pupils to buy pamphlets, extra classes at the expense of the normal classes to name a few. He warned teachers and school authorities to refrain from acts that will invite the unfriendly face of the Commission stressing that the Commission is more interested in making more converts than convicts.
The District Coordinating Officer Kenema District Mr. Mohamed Sylvanus Blake said that the Commission was only providing leadership in the fight against corruption but that it is the responsibility of every Sierra Leonean including the pupils and teachers to support the Commission in its fight to eradicate corruption in Sierra Leone.
Holy Trinity Secondary School, Kenema
Mr. Blake explained the procedure for reporting corruption and encouraged both Pupils and teachers to report corruption not only as their support to the Commission but also as a demonstration of their love for the country. He gave out the hot lines through which they can report corruption and left them with the slogan “what is not for you don’t take it”.
A question and answer session formed part of the programme
The following schools were visited:
- Holy Rosary Secondary School ( JSS &SSS)
- Holy Trinity Secondary School ( JSS &SSS)
- Islamic Secondary School ( JSS &SSS)
- Kenema Government Secondary School ( JSS &SSS)
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