School awareness session is an effective way to communicate the anti-corruption message, says the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC).

One of the roles of FICAC is to instill values of good governance and enlist public support in combating corruption in Fiji.

FICAC has started its school awareness programmes with schools around the Central Division.

Awareness sessions are targetted to raise the level of understanding among students and teachers on the risks and consequences of corruption.

The 30-minute session is conducted during class breaks to minimise disruptions to school proceedings.

FICAC team leader education and awareness  Peniasi Mualaulau said the sessions provided a good platform for the Commission to instill values of good governance like integrity, transparency and accountability among teachers and students.

“Teachers and students form an integral part of our society,” Mr Mualaulau said.

“Teachers and students can act as agents of change and proactively contribute towards the fight against corruption.”

He said students should be encouraged to participate in educational sessions that would nurture them in becoming better citizens of Fiji.

“Students are leaders of tomorrow and they will be able to react appropriately when faced with ethical dilemmas in the future,” Mr Mualaulau said.

The Education and Awareness Unit has conducted sessions with Nakasi High School, Vunimono High School, Saraswati College, DAV College, Rishikul Sanatan College, Gospel Primary School, Swami Shradhanand Memorial Primary School, Mahatma Gandhi Memorial School and Vunimono Arya Primary School.

Meanwhile, Swami Shradhanand Memorial Primary School headteacher, Balwant Singh commended FICAC for conducting anti-corruption training in schools.

“This is an effective way of educating public officers on the core functions of FICAC which should set a high level of transparency and accountability in their respective workplace,” he said.

Mr Singh also welcomed the idea of an anti-corruption curriculum to be incorporated into the Fijian school system.

“Anti-corruption messages can be integrated with moral values and other relevant subjects so that teachers and students can become agents of change and promote integrity in our society,” he said.

Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption

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