Integrity education: Shaping honest students to safeguard public welfare

Integrity is often described as honesty, but it goes far beyond telling the truth.

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Integrity is the alignment between values and actions. It is the discipline to do what is right even when no one is watching, when shortcuts are tempting, or when wrongdoing appears to bring reward without consequence. Integrity gives credibility to individuals and stability to institutions. Without it, trust erodes, systems fail, and societies pay a heavy price.Integrity is revealed in everyday situations. It is the student who refuses to cheat despite pressure to succeed. It is the teacher who grades fairly even when favoritism would be easier. It is the employee who reports an error instead of concealing it. At higher levels, integrity is seen when leaders reject corruption and place public welfare above personal gain. These decisions, whether small or monumental, shape the moral fabric of a community.