Lestari Moerdijat: Values of Integrity Must Be Instilled from an Early Age

Efforts to prevent corruption in the education sector cannot rely solely on circular letters and supervision; anti-corruption character and the prioritisation of integrity must be instilled from an early age. “Instilling values of integrity from an early age is the primary foundation for building the character of the nation’s children and is a key part of anti-corruption prevention efforts,” stated the Deputy Chair of the MPR RI, Lestari Moerdijat, in a written statement on Sunday.

The issuance of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Circular Letter Number 7 of 202rag regarding Corruption Prevention and Gratification Control in the New Student Admission System (SPMB) has received appreciation from various parties. Lestari acknowledged that the circular is an important step, as it prohibits practices such as illegal levies, ‘entrusted’ students, residency manipulation, and gratification. The KPK also warned that fraudulent practices in student admissions could erode educational values.

However, according to Lestari, known affectionately as Rerie, these measures are deemed insufficient. Corruption prevention in education must be built from the roots by establishing integrity as a fundamental character trait for children from an early age. Data from the KPK highlights significant challenges; the 2024 Education Integrity Assessment Survey (SPI) recorded an integrity index for the education sector of only 69.50 out of 100. This achievement suggests that the integrity system is only beginning to form and has not yet become a consistent culture.

Records from the same institution reveal that 28% of schools still collect illegal fees during the New Student Admission (PPDB) process. Furthermore, 23% of schools turn a blind eye to fraud in certification and accreditation processes. At the parental level, 65% of respondents still consider it normal to give gifts to teachers at certain moments, while 30% of educators view gratification as a common occurrence.

Rerie, who is also a member of Commission X of the DPR RI, argued that both families and educational institutions are obligated to instil integrity values during the process of growth and teaching. Without integrity, she emphasised, parenting and education systems will only produce graduates who are academically intelligent but morally fragile. The NasDem Party member reminded that the implementation of anti-corruption education must be substantive rather than merely ceremonial. With a strong foundation of integrity from an early age, children will grow into a generation that is not only academically capable but also possesses a resilient character that rejects all forms of fraud.