Panaji, Nov 3 (TNN): The directorate of education (DoE) has circulated an 'integrity pledge' among schools. The pledge involves an oath to follow the rule of law and to report any cases of corruption to the appropriate authority.

Institutions have been asked to read the pledge out during the moral science classes and at different occasions such as parent teacher association meetings and school annual day celebrations.

"In the last few years, we have seen considerable change in human values verging towards a materialistic outlook. The decline in moral values is reflected by increasing stress and high number of cases of corruption in modern times. One of the approaches to address the problem is to focus on the children, who are more vulnerable to negative forces," said the DoE circular to schools.

The directives have been issued for all government and aided secondary and higher secondary schools.

The circular states that the pledge has been adopted from the Central Vigilance Commission's vigilance awareness week of 2016, which was based on the theme 'public participation in promoting integrity and eradicating corruption.'

"It is enjoined upon all schools to adopt the pledge by printing the integrity pledge in notebooks (in local languages)," the DoE circular states.

The pledge reads, "I believe that corruption has been one of the major obstacles to economic, political and social progress of our country. I believe that all stakeholders such as government, citizens and private sector need to work together to eradicate corruption. I realise that every citizen should be vigilant and commit to high standards of honesty and integrity at all times and support the fight against corruption."

The pledge includes the promise to neither take or offer bribes, to perform all tasks in an honest and transperant manner, to act in public interest, and to lead by example exhibiting integrity in personal behaviour.