The University Grants Commission (UGC) has urged various institutions under it to include education about corruption in the curriculum of the students.

UGC had earlier asked institutions, banks, Public Service Units, private sector, insurance companies and autonomous organisations to observe the Vigilance Awareness Week between October 26 and 31.

In a letter to all the institutions dated March14, Jaspal S.Sandhu, Secretary of UGC, has said that it had become imperative to create awareness on corruption among school students and college students.

“It is observed that there is a general lack of awareness among school and college students about what is corruption; the adverse impact of corruption on society; how and whom to make a complaint on such corrupt practices,” he has said.

Stating that children are interested in knowing more about ethics, ways to fight corruption and related issues, Sandhu has stated that expanding their knowledge base and familiarizing them with these issues would not only encourage them to be dedicated to the task of tackling corruption but would also facilitate in character building.

“The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) has advised the institutions to include chapters on topics including Ethics; Vigilance; Anti-Corruption; Details of organizations and agencies such as the CVC and Central Bureau of Investigation so that the students’ level of understanding and awareness in the field is enhanced,” he has stated.

Claiming that it would give students an overview of the concepts and frameworks of anti-corruption progressively, Sandhu has also directed all the institutions to include the same in the curriculum of the students.