Let’s teach anti-corruption as a subject in schools

 

From Teacher

I refer to the article “Let’s have a jihad task force against corruption instead” by K Parkaran on June 4.

While I agree with the writer on the need for a “jihad” task force to battle corruption, which has dragged our nation down, I am not sure if this will be the answer to eradicate corruption.

As most of us know, corruption has eaten into the fabric of our society and it is going to take a long time for us to be rid of it. In my opinion, it might take a whole generation if at all we are successful.

We have seen many committees being formed, including commissions of inquiry and Royal Commissions of Inquiry. Most of them have ended up without resolving much, with their recommendations completely ignored, especially when it involved high-level people.

The “jihad” task force against inflation is not going to go anywhere, especially with the members comprising ministers who have failed in their roles badly.

How can we expect this group of ministers to address the problem when they are hardly inspiring?

I would say corruption is endemic in our beloved country and, sadly, many of those who are guilty are walking around freely.

Not only that, we see young schoolchildren and college students rushing to take selfies with these personalities who were involved in corrupt activities.

So, what is wrong with this picture? Obviously, our schools and colleges have failed to educate our children on the dangers of corruption and how shameful it should be to be involved in corrupt activities.

Students are either totally ignorant or do not care about the shame brought about by being corrupt or accused of corruption.

I feel some do not realise that the flamboyant and impressive lifestyle of corrupt people comes from money earned unlawfully or laundered. Thus, they secretly start planning to lead a similar life, but by the time they realise that it is wrong, they are immersed in corruption to feed their lifestyles.

Political will

Being a teacher, I think the only way to instil the notion that corruption is disgusting and disgraceful is to start in primary schools. And it must be a full subject, not incorporated into others, and be taught right up to Form 5.

Teachers must bombard students with the truth that corruption has no place in our society.

When this happens, the students will carry these values home to discuss with their parents. In the long run, the whole family will wake up to the fact that corruption will destroy Malaysia.

The subject must make it clear that corruption involves also the giver, and not only the taker.

Students must be taught that the cost of everything goes up when any project involves under-counter payments, which are then passed on to the consumers.

If the government has the political will, it must seriously implement this.

Having Moral Studies as a subject for decades has not worked, as the ones who studied it are the same ones who have been caught and charged for bribery.

The death penalty has not had the desired effect of eliminating drug trafficking. Similarly, all the publicity about so many people being charged with corruption is not helping people change their mind.

As such, an early start to explain to young, tender minds about the dangers of corruption and bombarding the message year in year out until they reach Form 5 will hopefully have a positive effect. - FMT

The writer is an FMT reader.

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.