Empowering students for just societies: a handbook to teach integrity in secondary schools

The fundamental importance of education lies in its power to shape the values of upcoming generations and equip them with the knowledge to make informed decisions, thereby enabling them to contribute to the positive transformation of their societies. The global stage is grappling with a crisis in values, exemplified by the surge in corruption, intolerance, and waning support for democracy. Contemporary challenges, including corruption, erode public trust in governance, diverting precious resources away from those most in need, particularly within the educational sphere. To address these issues, the role of education is paramount. However, as underscored by the International Commission on the Futures of Education Report, education itself must first be transformed. Within this transformed education, global citizenship education can equip children and youth with knowledge, skills and principles to reject corrupt practices and cultivate ethical behavioural norms and societal values. Nurturing integrity should commence early, with parents, schools, and communities fostering these values during the vital socialization process. This publication presents a treasure trove of educational tools, activities and lesson plans that aim to enhance teaching strategies that cultivate learners’ critical competencies such as ethical reasoning, critical thinking, teamwork and empathy. This resource not only bolsters integrity but also empowers youth to champion just societies, bridging a crucial gap by offering invaluable support for secondary-school educators in diverse development contexts.