3.2. Conceptual framework
3.2.4. Approaches to public education
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issue and the best way to fight its occurrence is through educating the public to prevent it, (Deliversky, 2016).
3.2.4.2 Exhibitions
Exhibitions are some of the most widely used approaches in public education. In Zimbabwe the concept is much more pronounced at premier events like the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe Agricultural Show in Harare, Provincial and district agricultural shows, other important business and tourist symposia, school career days, university expos and others. During such occasions, exhibitors take the opportunity to meet the different members of public and educate them on issues of major concern. The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission relies so much on exhibitions which are by far the biggest crowd pullers.
One of the advantages that public educationists derive from exhibitions is that people of all age groups throng the shows. To appeal much more to the public, public educators should be equipped with updates on current corruption trends, they should be skillful and very knowledgeable in handling the visitors who might be of diverse backgrounds, (Komalasari and Saripudin, 2015). They can motivate them through issuing gave-aways like branded t/shirts, caps, rulers, pens, key holders and other tokens of appreciation. The branded give-aways can also be issued together with flyers, brochures and pamphlets which normally form part of the public education reading materials and can be made reference to during discussions during and after the exhibition.
3.2.4.3 Road shows and commemorations
The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission has used a number of innovative approaches in educating the public on anti-corruption. These approaches included planned road show campaigns and commemorations of calendar events like United Nations International Anti-Corruption Day, African Union Day of Anti-Corruption and others. Road show campaigns usually require the use of special campaign vehicles, mounted with radio sets and hailers for mobilising people to gather at venues,
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address them and involve them in planned anti-corruption education activities. The public education activities may basically include some of the following; dances, jokes, question and answer, drama, poetry, music on anti-corruption. The activities usually serve two basic purposes which are to entertain and educate the public, (Sarmini, et al, 2017). The public educators usually take the opportunity to distribute reading materials like flyers, brochures and pamphlets to the public while those who answer to questions, perform dances, poems, dramas are rewarded with give- aways.
Commemorations are usually unique in approach and they normally start with a march from a defined place to suitable venues where all the people assemble and then participate in lined up anti-corruption activities. In Zimbabwe, the march is normally led by either the Military, Police or Prison and Correctional Service band.
The procession includes drummajorites and members of the public dressed in Anti- Corruption regalia with some of them displaying banners, placards or distributing informercials on anti-corruption to the general public. At the venues, the public is treated to solidarity speeches from stakeholders, poems, drama and music before a speech by a chosen guest of honour is read. The speeches are expected to educate the public on current developments in combating corruption as well as rallying the public to take part in the whole anti-corruption discourse.
3.2.4.4. Radio and television presentations
Radio and television presentations are regarded as some of the best ways to reach out to the general public and therefore they are very useful platforms for educating the public on anti-corruption. For instance, Radio Zimbabwe which is the most popular station in the country has a listenership of approximately two million and it covers up 100 % of both the rural and urban settlements, (www.zbccorporate.co.zw).
The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission public education department usually receives invitations from different radio stations and Zimbabwe Television where panel discussions and presentations are carried out on topical issues pertaining to curbing corruption. The discussions or presentations may be more interesting if the
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public is invited to contribute in live programmes through phone-ins or sending messages.
There are also television programmes run with the assistance of the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation that have been exploited for the benefit of the viewers in Zimbabwe. These include Mai Chisamba show, Economic Forum, Melting Pot to name but a few of them. The delivery of the anti-corruption education is normally different in each of the above stated television platforms. In the Mai Chisamba Show, anti-corruption educators are made to be panelists in a hall full of people from different socio-economic background. The attendees are afforded an opportunity to contribute from the floor by way of giving their own views or asking questions on areas needing clarification from the panelists. The Mai Chisamba show is very popular and greatly followed by Zimbabweans and as a result, it is highly regarded as a family show in many Zimbabwean households.
3.2.4.5. Internet based public education
This includes a number of platforms like website, Facebook page, Whatsapp, Twitter and other digie-media platforms for engaging the public. The public educationists upload reading material of different types on the website, whatsapp, facebook page and they encourage the public to read and give feedback on issues of concern. The content includes corruption preventive tips, types and new forms of corrupt activities, upcoming anti-corruption events, poems, riddles, songs, art work, questions and answers, (Borcan et, al, 2017). The public is also taught how to make reports in case they come across corrupt people in society.