Nigeria: IAP plans integrity education for elementary schools
In a strategic move to combat corruption and engage young Nigerians in the promotion of responsive and responsible governance, Independent Advocacy Project (IAP), the nation’s leading anti-corruption group is advocating that anti-corruption education should be included in the subject curriculum of elementary schools in the country.Corruption is a major driver of bad governance in Nigeria, as such, there is an urgent need for the design and introduction of a well thought out integrity education in elementary schools, which is naturally the formative years of young Nigerians, IAP said in a statement released in Lagos.
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IAP plans integrity education for elementary schools
LAGOS: 27 February 2008.
In a strategic move to combat corruption and engage young Nigerians in the promotion of responsive and responsible governance, Independent Advocacy Project (IAP), the nation’s leading anti-corruption group is advocating that anti-corruption education should be included in the subject curriculum of elementary schools in the country.
Corruption is a major driver of bad governance in Nigeria, as such, there is an urgent need for the design and introduction of a well thought out integrity education in elementary schools, which is naturally the formative years of young Nigerians, IAP said in a statement released in Lagos today.
IAP’s Anti-Corruption Curriculum for Elementary Schools (ACCES) project is designed to support local education authorities in teaching anti-corruption education which ensures that young Nigerians are aware of their direct role now and in the future, in promoting transparent and accountable governance.
‘Education institutions, according to IAP’s surveys, the Nigeria Corruption Index (NCI 2005, 2007) are among the most corrupt institutions in the country and IAP, as one of the outcomes of NCI 2007 has therefore designed ACCES to systematically inculcate in youths, their role in the fight against corruption,’ says Gbenga Ogundare IAP’s Head of Programmes.
Adds Ogundare: ‘Addressing the problem of corruption as an impediment to the growth of democracy requires the involvement of youths in the process, especially as they are tomorrow’s leaders.’
Recent reports indicate that at least 70% of Nigerians live in poverty, earning under US$1 per day, 90 percent live on less than US$2 per day. Health and education indicators are accordingly very low. The nation’s poverty is due, in large part, to the country’s corruption problems, and ACCES aims at contributing to efforts that fundamentally addressed this from the bottom up, by working to ensure that school pupils receive anti-corruption education.’
ACCES is a long-term impact project that combines immediate gains with looking at medium and long term benefits. It seeks to ensure that youths play a crucial role in contributing, both as citizens and future leaders, to efforts at raising awareness on the adverse effects of corruption and in promoting good governance in the country.