Schools to establish Integrity clubs - EACC

Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has announced that all schools are expected to establish Integrity Clubs.

This is to help nurture integrity to the learners.

The initiative was announced during a joint forum of Integrity Clubs and EACC drawn from over 20 secondary schools in Kisii, Migori, Nyamira and Homa Bay counties.

The forum held at Kisii High School, brought together student officials and integrity club patrons from the counties to share experiences and best practice in the promotion of ethical conduct among learners.

Speaking at the forum, EACC Director of Preventive Services Vincent Okong’o, lauded schools for the progress made in establishing and supporting the operations of integrity clubs across the country.

"The introduction of Integrity Clubs in schools has greatly improved discipline among learners which is a prerequisite for excellence in academic performance," he said.

He said the schools with active Integrity Clubs have so far registered low levels of strikes, theft, drug use and other forms of indiscipline among students.

Okong'o said the club is a way of securing a corrupt free country in the future.

He pointed out that corruption and other social ills are perpetrated by persons who are morally lacking even though they may be smart.

Okong'o quoted Theodore Roosevelt, saying "to educate a man in mind and not in morals is to educate a menace to society".

He added that the schools are the target places as the young people are key stakeholders in the fight against corruption, as they are vibrant, innovative and untainted by graft.

"However, the society hardly provides enough role models and as a result, the youth rely on social media and their peers for guidance on issues affecting them. This exposes them to wrong advice which may lead to undesirable behavior," he added.

Integrity Clubs in schools help  to identify ethical dilemmas affecting youth and how to resolve them, build character, nurture appropriate values and positive attributes among the youth.

It also enhance learners’ knowledge of ethics and integrity and empowers youth to advocate for good governance as means of combating corruption.

EACC said it further helps the youth embrace patriotism, promote a culture of hard work with integrity and encouraging unwavering compliance to stipulated regulations.

Okong’o reiterated that the anti-graft body expects all schools to establish and operationalize Integrity Clubs in accordance with the Ministry of Education Circular issued in 2010 on the advice of EACC.

EACC said the establishment of the clubs was launched on Novemeber 27,2010.

He pointed out that the implementation Circulars were issued by the Ministry of Education directing all institutions of learning to establish the Clubs.