Integrity Club in Every CBSE Schools

November 25, 2011, 12:00 am


The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has asked all its schools to set up an �Integrity Club� to sensitise students on the importance of upholding high values and life skills. Principals say this will help them eradicate unethical practices among students like ragging and cheating.

On November 4, the CBSE issued a circular asking the schools to introduce �Integrity Clubs� based on the model developed by Airports Authority of India (AAI) and adopted by Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan in its schools. The circular comes after an annual review meeting of the Vigilance Advisory Council set up by Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) this July.

The members of the council were of the view that children are exposed to negative values due to excessive influence of electronic media, Internet and mobile phones along with the increasing practice of the nuclear family system and rapid urbanisation.

The CVC had asked CBSE to explore the possibility of introducing lessons on integrity and honesty in schools. �For now, we have advised all schools affiliated to CBSE to set up these clubs with the purpose of inculcating moral values in the minds of the students so that they grow up to become responsible citizens. We have not yet decided on introducing lessons on the same,� said a senior official from CBSE Chennai region, which covers schools in Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Puducherry. The official added, �CBSE had already issued teaching manuals on value education to help teachers integrate human values in teaching.�

The circular states that the clubs would be designed as community groups for cultivating �human values among students by means of organising games, activities and workshops in schools�. The members will be students in the 11-16 age group and would be called �Young Champions of Ethics�.

Meanwhile, principals of CBSE schools here appeared positive about the idea. Avnita Bir, principal of R N Podar School in Santacruz, said: �It is a very good move. We will be able to sensitise students towards a lot of unethical practices such as ragging, cheating in exams and use of foul language. Instead of teaching these values, it would be easier for schools to inculcate them through informal means like workshops, projects, activities and games.�

J F Khan of the Kendriya Vidyalaya in Bhandup said, �We are yet to set up the club in our school. This question of teaching ethics is much talked about, but rarely practiced. There are subjects like value education taught in schools but they are much theoretical than practical.� Deepshikha Srivastava of Rajhans Vidyalaya in Andheri said they are already conducting various activities to teach human values and lifeskills to students. �We are already conducting such activities under value education in our school. Now, however, things will be on a larger scale.�

CBSE schools already have �Heritage Clubs� as part of which students are taken for heritage walks. Members also adopt a local heritage spot, which they visit regularly and even look after its cleanliness. Most schools also have health, wellness and eco clubs.