The North-West Regional Office of the Anti-Corruption Commission has on 6th December 2022, engaged staff and students of the Lungi College of Education, Science and Technology (LUNGICEST) on how they can support the ACC and the fight against corruption
The engagement dubbed as “Meet the University Campaign” was part of the Commission’s public education drive undertaken to sensitize the students and staff on corruption and to solicit their support in combatting corruption issues in higher institutions of learning.
Addressing students and staff on the importance of education, the Senior Public Education Officer Junisa Sankoh described education as an instrument of development that fosters and enhances skills development and economic growth.
He pointed out that the prevalence of corruption in education has immensely contributed to the drop in standard of education in the country whilst urging all Sierras Leoneans to work concertedly to restoring the glorious days of the country being referred to as the Athens of West Africa. He highlighted various corrupt practices that have plagued the sector including but not limited to illegal admission, payment for assignments or tests, absenteeism, sex for grades, extortion among other things.
In another engagement, the ACC Team also held Meet the School Campaign at the Ernest Bai Koroma Junior and Senior Secondary School at Mayaya in Kaffu Bullom Chiefdom. Staff and pupils were similarly engaged on the negative effects of corruption in schools which has adversely affected standards and performance in public examinations. Bribery, extortion, absenteeism, sex for grades, illegal charges, misappropriation of school fees subsidies and other forms of malfeasance are of great concern to the ACC, he said.
Welcoming the ACC Team, the Principal of LungiCEST Hakim Mohamed Sesay thanked the ACC for visiting the college and informed them that the college is fully accredited by the Teaching Service Commission. He registered his commitment to enhancing best practices and to ensure standards are always evident in the programmes or courses offered by the institution.
In his brief statement at the respective meetings, the Regional Manager Al-Hassan Sesay made a stern warning against misuse of fees subsidies and examinations malpractice and emphasized that the latter is now a punishable offence in the 2019 amendment Act of the Anti-Corruption Act of 2008, to a fine of not less than fifty million (old) Leones or five years jail term.
Presentation of IEC materials and questions and answers session formed part of the engagements.
ACC NORTHWEST OFFICE
