By Politico staff writer
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has warned school authorities, teachers, and all those against all forms of extortions and malpractices in the learning institutions to desist.
This according to a release by the anti-graft agency is not unconnected to a recent report from the public about the attitude of certain school authorities over the issuance of the report cards to mark the end of the academic year. “Some school authorities are engaged in extortion of monies from pupils, parents, and guardians, for issuance of end of year school results and report cards,” the statement reads.
In addition, the statement alleged that some schools secretly demand for huge sums of money from prospective candidates in order to create a malpractice friendly environment during the upcoming West African Senior Secondary School Certificate Examinations (WASSCE).
The ACC therefore advised school authorities to desist from such acts as it breaches Section 128 of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act of 2008 as amended in 2019 which states that: “A person who engages in corrupt activity or practice, in a program organized or conducted by an educational institution or examination body, to confer an advantage on himself or other person commits an offence.”
The act explains that any person who is found guilty for such offence shall on conviction, be liable to a fine of not less than (Le50 million) Fifty Million Leones or imprisonment for a term not less than five years or to both.
School authorities and all parties engaged in such practices are also reminded of Section 28 of the Act clearly states that “Any public officer who solicits, accepts, obtains or agrees to accept or attempts to obtain for himself without lawful consideration or for a the consideration which he knows or has reason to believe to be inadequate, any advantage as an inducement to or reward for” the section prohibits the offering and soliciting of advantage together with the principles guiding the Free Quality Education.
“Receiving an advantage whether solicited or not, is a crime under the Anti-Corruption Act 2008 as amended in 2019,” it added.
The statement stressed that any person caught in this practice, and cannot provide policy justification from the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary School Education (MBSSE) will be dealt with.
Copyright © Politico Online (21/07/21)
