CORRUPTION IN PRIVATE SCHOOLS IN LIBERIA: A CASE STUDY OF A PRIVATE SECONDARY SCHOOL IN BUSHROD ISLAND AREA, MONROVIA, LIBERIA

Abstract

One of the most destructive acts by man, which dominates and affects all aspects of the human community, is corruption. It attacks the social fabric and harms everyone in its path. Personal growth and national development are suppressed by acts of corruption. Corruption is so ingrained in the moral consciousness of the Liberians’ society that only strong moral leadership can make a dent in its eradication. This study investigates the causes in private secondary schools in Bushrod Island in Monrovia, Liberia. The study performed intensive interview as well as observations with the school workers and the community members including principle, teachers, students, parents, community members and community leader. After coding the data and performing a thematic analysis using the Educational Accountability Model the findings reveal that the teachers are the main participants in the acts of corruption. The teachers are considered the main participants in the act of corruption because of the lack of accountability process in the school. As observed in the thematic analysis, Educational Accountability Model helps the workers to correspond with the rules and regulations of the school which, in turn, enables the students to obtain their dreams. The implications of this finding as it relates to other contexts are also discussed.