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The Faith and Justice Network (FJN) in partnership with the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), the Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL) Tuesday, August 13, 2019, launched the Corruption-Free School USAID-LPAC funded Project at the Corina Hotel in Sinkor, Monrovia.
The project which is under the theme: “Making schools’ environment Corruption Free and Conducive for Learning” is sponsored by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID-LPAC). During the launch of the USAID-LPAC funded project, several schools participated with over 125 school administrators, teachers, parents, students, and other stakeholders. Participated schools were Apostolic Foundation, Free Pentecostal Global Mission, St. Peter Lutheran High School, Cathedral Catholic High School, G. W. Gibson High School, Seventh Day Adventist High School, William V. S. Tubman High School, First AGM High School, Muslim Congress High School and Paynesville Community High School respectively.
Speaking during the launch of the project, the Executive Director and head of the Technical Management Team of the Liberia Anti–Corruption Commission (LACC), Mr. Mohammed Fahnbulleh said there is a need to curtail the alarming rate of corruption in schools. He called on churches and Faith – Faith-based institutions to help change the mindset of the young people (students) to enlighten them on corruption and encourage them to expose it by reporting it to the LACC.
In his remarks, USAID-LPAC Chief of Party (COP), Mr. John Furnari emphasized that schools must be essential for learning and achieving goals. Mr. Furnari frowned at what he calls misappropriation and siphoning of public funds with impunity, and placement of ghost names on payroll among others. He stressed the need for the eradication of corruption in schools and further added that more awareness needs to be done on corruption through workshops, symposiums, through investigations conducted when there are allegations and those found culpable should be prosecuted in line with due process.
Speaking at the launch, the Country Director of Accountability Lab Liberia, Mr. Lawrence Yealue said corruption is a mindset issue and he appealed for collective efforts in combating the menace. He however commended hardworking teachers for their support in eradicating corruption at their respective schools.
At the same time, the former president of the National Lottery Club of Monrovia, Philip Parker said students should be educated to develop high moral standards. He pledged the unflinching support of his entity to the campaign.
Speaking on behalf of the participating high schools was Mr. J. Luke Garlo, principal of the Matilda Newport High School who urged his fellow teachers reportedly involved in corruption to desist and conduct themselves in accordance with the National Teaching Ethics.
Making remarks on behalf of participating universities was Sr. Mary Laurene Browne, President of the Stella Maris Polytechnic, likened corruption to diarrhea and stressed the need to cultivate a God-fearing and integrity-consciousness in tackling corruption in schools and the society at large.
Meanwhile, Mr. Samuel Johnson, Secretary General of the National Teachers Association of Liberia has also stressed the need for national government to ensure that 20% of the national budget goes to education. Mr. Johnson wants the LACC to be vigorous and rigorous in the fight against corruption. He wants 60% of all signature fees to go toward education.
The ten-month campaign will take place in twenty high schools and five universities in Monrovia. FJN will take charge of the campaign in the twenty high schools; while CENTAL will take charge of the five universities during the implementation of the project.
FJN first launched the “campaign for corruption-free schools on June 8, 2018, which has generated overwhelming interest from the church and society. The campaign is aimed to eradicate or reduce the barest minimum of all forms of corrupt practices in schools by raising awareness through common campaign activities by networking among schools with a number of campaign activities.
