A Critical Appraisal of Integrity Clubs in Bhutan

Abstract

This study delves into the values of youth, highlighting its importance in influencing ethical behaviors and principles. It emphasizes the importance of anti-corruption programs in spreading the values, especially among Bhutanese youth. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and the Ministry of Education and Skill Development (MoESD) instituted school integrity clubs in 2017 to promote ethical behaviors, knowledge-sharing, and participation in fighting corruption. The study utilizes Youth Integrity Assessment (YIA) 2022 data, which includes 130 Integrity Club (IC) members and 179 non-IC members. The study aims to evaluate the impact of IC on the values of youth. Welch's t-test was utilized to compare the values of IC members with non-IC members. The results indicate a positive impact on the values of youth, highlighting the significance of implementing integrity clubs in schools/institutes. Furthermore, the correlation between the variables shows a positive relationship. This study suggests that the ACC and MoESD should cascade this initiative to other schools or institutes.