Step Up Nigeria is a non-governmental organization working to build bridges between the government and its citizens to tackle corruption in Nigeria
Our Mission
To foster a transparent and equitable society by actively engaging and empowering citizens to fight corruption and demand quality services and public goods
Our Vision
Nigeria’s socio-economic development is not held back by corruption and poor governance
School Integrity Certification Programme
The School Integrity Certification Programme is a voluntary initiative that recognizes schools that have put standard measures in place to mitigate against academic & admissions dishonesty. It is aimed at promoting a culture of integrity in schools. Through this programme, interested schools will receive technical assistance to strengthen their integrity measures if needed.
Why Should my School be Certified?
Integrity Certification Programme Overview
Step-Up Nigeria’s voluntary initiative recognizes schools implementing standards to prevent academic and admissions dishonesty, promoting a culture of integrity. Participating schools can receive technical support to enhance their integrity measures.
Academic Integrity
Equips schools to improve examinations, tackle cheating, favouritism, plagiarism and other dishonest academic practices.
Admissions Integrity
Equips schools to improve admissions policies, strengthen admissions boards and improve transparency in admissions processes, ensuring there are measures in place to guarantee a fair admissions process based on merit.
Codes of Conduct
The use of codes of conduct/school policies to promote integrity amongst students, teachers, school administrators and parents includes visible policies around the school that encourage everyone in the school to act with integrity.
Teaching Ethics Education
Teaching about integrity, anti-corruption values, or ethics education in one form or the other through curricular or extracurricular activities, ensuring that such teaching is institutionalized in the daily learning at the school.
The first step is to sensitize schools about the School Integrity Certification and what it entails. Schools participate in a briefing session that outlines the key steps and processes involved in the certification program. This session equips them with essential information and serves as a motivation to take part in the initiative. During previous physical sessions, schools often share real-life instances of unethical conduct occurring in their environments. These testimonies have further reinforced our commitment to expanding the program beyond our current intervention states.
Step 2
Self-Assessment
Schools that have been briefed on the programme and have expressed interest proceed to complete a self-assessment form via Google Forms. This form includes questions designed to help the Step Up Nigeria team understand each school’s current integrity practices, the policies they already have in place, and areas where improvements can be made. It covers key criteria such as Admission Integrity, Academic Integrity, and the teaching of Anti-Corruption Education. Additionally, the form allows schools to upload supporting evidence, including photos and videos, to substantiate their responses.
Step 3
Document Review
Each document submitted by the schools is carefully reviewed by the Step Up Nigeria team to gain a clear understanding of the school’s existing integrity measures and to identify areas for improvement.
Step 4
Validation
During this process, the Step Up Nigeria team verifies that the attached photos and video evidence are credible and accurately support the information provided in the submitted documents.
Step 5
Recommendation for certification
After completing the validation process, the team makes a recommendation on whether the school should be certified immediately or referred to the Integrity Clinic. Schools that meet all the required criteria to the expected standard are recommended for immediate certification, while those that fall short are directed to the Integrity Clinic for further support and improvement.
Step 6
Integrity Clinic
Schools referred to the Integrity Clinic are required to watch recorded video sessions that offer guidance on improving specific areas of concern. Upon completing the clinic, they must submit evidence demonstrating the implementation of the recommended changes. This evidence is then reviewed and validated by the Step Up Nigeria team. Once the improvements are confirmed, the schools’ names are submitted for final approval.
Step 7
Approval
The review team approves schools that have successfully updated and implemented the required criteria. Once approval is confirmed, these schools are officially recommended for Integrity Certification.
Step 8
Award Certification
Step Up Nigeria will send an electronic copy of the certification to all schools that have successfully completed the outlined steps. The certificate recognizes them as institutions actively promoting, building, and maintaining a culture of integrity within their environments. It will be designed in a print-friendly format for easy reproduction.
Step 9
Publish names
The names of schools that have been certified since the programme’s inception—and continue to uphold integrity standards—will be published on our Integrity Certification website. Newly certified schools will also have their names added to this platform, serving as a public acknowledgment of their commitment to integrity.
No bribery, No cheating, No favouritism, No corruption. If you see Something you say something! This is the watchword of our school. This SICP programme has really improved how we teach and conduct exams. We now have integrity!
Adenike Abiola
Baptist Nursery & Primary School, Abuja
The integrity certification training which our school received has ensured that values-based education is taught on a daily basis in the school. Both teachers and students have been trained. Our pupils now embody integrity in all that they do.
Jonathan Otene
BJ Schools
The Integrity Certification Programme has changed my school completely. We can beat our chests now and say all our exams are consucted with the highest standards of Integrity
Mrs Tsegbemi Oloyede
Success Era Model School
Frequently Asked Questions
A school lacks a written code of conduct. What would be the recommended step?
Develop and implement a clear, school-wide integrity policy.
What should a school do if most teachers don’t understand anti-corruption education?
Conduct workshops and provide educational resources on teaching anti-corruption values.
How can a school curb exam malpractice among its students?
Promote integrity values, improve supervision, and create a positive learning environment.
A young girl copied her friend’s homework to submit to their teacher. What effective approach can be used to stop the act?
Educate on academic honesty and redesign assignments to encourage original thinking.
How should a school handle favoritism in student disciplinary actions?
Implement consistent policies that apply equally to all students.
What if integrity breaches are not taken seriously by staff?
Provide staff training and leadership reinforcement on integrity standards.
How can one handle a situation where the principal hides financial mismanagement?
Report through proper channels, promote transparency, and reinforce the school code of conduct/policies.
What can be done if a particular school admits students based on bribes?
Investigate, revise admission policies, and introduce integrity training.
If integrity-themed lessons are boring for students, what can be done?
Use storytelling, games, and interactive tools to engage students better.
Students complain about unfair grading. How should the school respond?
Audit grading systems and ensure transparency and fairness in assessments.
What should the school leadership do if some sets of teachers resist integrity reforms?
Engage them in dialogue, highlight benefits, and provide support. If they still resist, then it’s best to relieve them of their duties.
A student witnesses cheating and reports it. What should the school do?
Protect the whistleblower, investigate the claim, and take appropriate action following the school’s code of conduct.
If a school doesn’t involve parents in integrity education. Is this a concern?
Yes. It is highly recommended to partner with parents to reinforce anti-corruption values at home.
Students do not take anti-corruption lessons seriously. How can engagement be improved?
Use relatable examples, discussions, and youth-led projects.
If a staff member is caught altering student results, what should happen?
Investigate, apply sanctions, and review systemic weaknesses.
A school fails its first integrity assessment. What’s next?
Enter the integrity clinic, receive support, and work on continual improvement.
What is the integrity certification program?
It is a voluntary initiative that recognizes schools that have put standard measures in place to mitigate against academic & admissions dishonesty. It is aimed at promoting a culture of integrity in schools.
What is the primary goal of the Integrity Certification Program?
To promote, build, and maintain a culture of integrity in primary and secondary schools.
What does it mean to be Integrity Certified?
An integrity-certified school is a school with a strong culture of integrity, which is demonstrated through: Academic integrity, Admissions integrity, Teaching anti-corruption values or education, and the use of Codes of conduct/school policies to promote integrity amongst students, teachers, school administrators, and parents.
What is anti-corruption education in this context?
Teaching students the values and skills to recognize and reject corrupt behavior.
How does the program involve school policies?
By evaluating policies that support integrity, like codes of conduct and disciplinary measures.
What kind of sanctions are discussed?
Sanctions for cheating or misconduct to support a culture of accountability.
Why should a school aim to be certified?
To promote integrity, gain recognition, and become a role model for others.
What is the process for getting integrity certified?
It begins with sensitization, followed by the school submitting a request. We then proceed to self-assessment, which is followed by a document review. After reviewing all submitted documents and validating the school, a few more processes occur before certification.
How will the review be conducted?
The review will involve assessing all evidence or claims submitted by the school. The assessment will involve a desk review of submitted evidence, in-depth interviews with staff, parents and students to validate the claims.
What is the timeline to get certified?
The certification process takes three months to ensure every detail is fact-checked adequately.
What is the maximum validity period for an integrity certificate?
The Step Up Nigeria team will verify the school again in two to three years to ensure that integrity standards are still upheld.
What are the main criteria for becoming an Integrity Certified School?
Three main criteria: Admissions integrity, Academic integrity, and School policies/Code of conduct.
What does academic integrity involve under this program?
Preventing cheating, plagiarism, and fostering honest academic conduct.
What is admissions integrity?
Ensuring transparency and fairness in the school’s admissions processes.
What kind of code of conduct is expected?
A code that promotes integrity among students, staff, and parents.
How are schools assessed for certification?
Based on adherence to integrity in academics, admissions, and anti-corruption education through a structured process.
How are weak areas in schools identified?
Through the assessment process during certification.
Can a school still participate if it doesn’t meet all the criteria initially?
Yes, they can undergo integrity clinics and continuous improvement processes.
What is the Integrity Clinic?
A support mechanism to help schools that don’t meet all criteria improve on weak areas.
Is teaching anti-corruption values part of the certification requirement?
Yes, it’s one of the core expectations under the Certification Program.
What is the most effective way of teaching anti-corruption education in my school?
ACE can be integrated into other subjects, such as civic education and social studies; however, it is most effective when taught as a stand-alone subject. This approach ensures consistency and allows sufficient time for students to engage with the material and ask questions as needed.
How does the certification promote integrity in classrooms?
By encouraging teachers to model integrity and integrate anti-corruption education.
Do parents play any role in school integrity?
They are considered partners in promoting integrity at home and school.
What support is available for schools seeking certification?
Guidance, integrity clinics, assessment feedback, and program resources.
