The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) launched the pilot phase of the National Anti-Corruption Curriculum in partnership with the Ministry of Education for Northern Division teachers yesterday.

The commission will later this week conduct similar launches in the Central and Western Divisions.

During its launch at the Labasa Town Council chambers the commission manager corruption prevention Kolora Naliva told participants that the national anti-corruption resource manual given to them was developed to serve as a guiding document to teachers.

It will also be a reference in the teaching of the curriculum to students.

“The development of the curriculum is in line with a major focus for FICAC, which is investing in the education and training of young minds to have a culture of resistance towards unethical values and corruption in society,” Ms Naliva said.

“In doing so, these young people will become future responsible citizens deterring them from engaging in corrupt practices.”

The commission looks forward to the schools and teachers taking a lead role in reviewing teaching and learning processes in the classrooms.

“And it is the commission’s ultimate wish that through the manual, teachers and curriculum development unit officers from the Ministry of Education will promote and encourage students to continue learning and generate a wealth of knowledge on anti-corruption, ” she said.

“It is important to note and understand that the ultimate objective of the curriculum is to shape a personality in children.

“That it will drive these future leaders to live a life free of corruption.

“Because the problem of corruption is one of the biggest global issues that is becoming among the greatest challenges facing our nation and society at large today.

“Fiji, being a State party to the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), together with our 2013 Constitution, pursuant to Article 13(c) of the UN Convention under the heading participation of society shall take appropriate measures.

“It will also participate in activities that contribute to non-tolerance of corruption as well as public education programmes, including schools and university curricula.”

FICAC in partnership with the Curriculum Advisory Services of the Ministry of Education have taken significant steps to address this challenge.

This is through the designing and development of the curriculum and its implementation to all primary and secondary schools in Fiji in 2019.

In its simplest terms, the National Anti Corruption Curriculum (NACC) initiative is the integration of anti-corruption lessons into the national educational curriculum.

“With the absence of corporal punishment in our school system, the NACC places more emphasis on values education on the lives of the young people,” Ms Naliva said.

Edited by Percy Kean

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