ANTI-CORRUPTION COMMISSION
CATHEDRAL HOUSE
3 GLOUCESTER STREET
FREETOWN
SIERRA LEONE, WEST AFRICA
22nd July 2016
PRESS RELEASE
ACC WARNS SCHOOL AUTHORITIES AGAINST ILLEGAL CHARGES
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) wishes to inform the general public that it has received several complaints against teachers and school authorities on allegations of soliciting and accepting an advantage from parents, guardians, and pupils, in exchange for grades, and in some instances, for the collection of report cards; contrary to the established position of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, and Section 28 of the Anti-Corruption Act 2008.
The ACC wishes to reiterate its previous position that teachers and school authorities must not solicit or accept an advantage from pupils, parents and guardians. The commission reminds the public that offering and receiving an advantage, whether solicited or not, is a crime under the Anti-Corruption Act 2008; and any violation of this provision will be accordingly prosecuted.
In this regard, the ACC urges parents and pupils to resist such solicitations and offers of bribe to schools authorities. The public is hereby encouraged to report to the commission any such solicitations by calling on the following free-toll numbers: 077-985-985, and 077-968-986.
The Commission wishes to reassure the general public of its relentless resolve to pursue bribery at all levels in Sierra Leone. Accordingly, the commission will soon launch its nationwide ‘Pay No Bribe’ campaign.
The object of the campaign is to improve public service delivery across the country.
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ALHASSAN KARGBO
PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
