By Bill W. Cooper
The Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) has partnered with the Ministry of Education (MOE) to integrate anti-corruption and integrity lessons into the national school curriculum, an initiative aimed at fostering a culture of integrity and transparency among the youth.
The collaboration, according to the LACC and MOE, is part of a broader strategy to combat corruption in Liberia by instilling ethical values in Liberian students from an early age across the country.
The announcement was made recently at the LACC headquarters, where officials from both institutions, including MOE Director of Curriculum Development, Julia K. Sandiman-Gbeyai and Subject Specialist, J. Emmanuel Milto, outlined the objectives and expected outcomes of the initiative.
The two institutions convened to review and validate the new set of educational materials designed to introduce the anti-corruption concepts to primary school students, which aligns with a presidential mandate to emphasise ethical education as a cornerstone of national reform.
However, the collaboration comes at a time when Liberia is struggling with significant challenges related to corruption, which has been identified as a major barrier to economic growth and social development.
LACC Executive Chairperson, Cllr. Alexandra K. Zoe, highlighted the transformative potential of the program and stated, “Corruption undermines the very foundation of our nation.
So, by teaching children the value of integrity early on, we are planting the seeds for a future generation of honest, responsible citizens.”
According to her, the Anti-Corruption Manual will be integrated into the existing Social Studies curriculum and tailored for students in Grades 1 through 6, with key topics to be introduced from the kickoff.
She maintained, “These topics are helping our country by being honest, why we should not take things that don’t belong to us, telling the truth even when it’s hard, being a good citizen, and why corruption is bad for our country.”
“This initiative aims to make ethical concepts relatable to young minds while encouraging personal accountability and national pride by promoting integrity at a young age, and once launched, Liberia will be among the few countries in West Africa to systematically introduce anti-corruption education at the primary school level,” the LACC Boss noted.
She also emphasized the importance of educating young minds about the detrimental effects of corruption on society, and asserted, “Corruption is a pervasive issue that undermines development and erodes public trust.”
“So, by teaching our children about integrity and accountability, we are laying the foundation for a more transparent and just society, a society all of us, irrespective of our political affiliations or religious backgrounds, would be proud of,” Cllr. Zoe added.
Earlier, the team from the MOE expressed their support for the initiative, highlighting the need for a holistic approach to education that goes beyond academic excellence and performance.
The team added, “We must equip our students with the values and skills necessary to navigate the complexities of modern society.
Integrating anti-corruption lessons into our curriculum is a vital step in ensuring that our future leaders are not only knowledgeable but also principled.”
Meanwhile, the initiative will see the development of age-appropriate educational materials that will be incorporated into the existing curriculum for primary and secondary schools across the country.
The LACC and MOE believe that by educating young people about integrity, they can help create a generation that is more resistant to corrupt practices, as the lessons will also encourage students to think critically about their roles as future leaders and citizens.
