The word ethics may be simply defined as the science of right and wrong, the science of moral principles, the science of moral judgment and conduct. It does not only to analyze, to classify, to describe and to explain human actions as good or bad but also to help us know why and on what bases our judgment of human action is justified (Kizza, 2007). Ehtical issues are part of everyday life in schools especially in administration that deals with educational actions which take place in schools. The success of an educational aims depends on the principal and his/her effective governance.
The concept of governance incorporates four fundamental issues: i.) How an organization is managed to optimize performance and accountability. ii.) How values and goals are reflected by the systems and structures that are created. iii.) How leaders establish relationships that bring about the commitment of those who work with and for them. iv.) How the application of leadership is formally applied in the conduct of organizational business (Karri et. al., 2005).
Furthermore, all school personnel are responsible for creating and maintaining a community conducive to academic, emotional and social learning, but the principal is the primary promoter of the values and standards that ensure everyone in the school building function (Harsh and Castro, 2007).
Today, moral leadership is essential for every organization in all corners of society. Principals play a significant role in society as leaders for today’s students and future’s leaders. Creating a morally upright community, those who manage today’s schools must invest their ethical duties to society and examine their roles and benefits by honoring the responsibilities of ethical leadership (Caldwell and Jeane, 2007).
An ethical leader not only endeavors TO DO THE RIGHT THINGS but also TO DO THINGS RIGHT. The school administrator whose behavior is consistent acts morally and hence she/he values social justice (Glanz, 2006). If the school administrator is not consistent, this causes him/her to lose reliance among school staff and as a natural outcome of this, the decisions taken by the administrators become controversial. Administrators who are seen as unfair, unjust, inhumane or capricious in their decisions usually buy themselves a great deal of trouble in their jobs. It is indeed that administrators are seen as unjust as they are to fail because they are seen inefficient. However, ethics is part of the job. It is essential part of the job. Administrators deal with fairness, equality, justice and democracy as they deal with test scores, teachers’ salaries, parents and budgets (Strike et. al., 2005). It is important for the reputation of schools that they have an ethical culture. Therefore, principals should mind their ethical responsibilities for their teachers; should respect their individual rights and should be just (Karakose, 2007).
Finally, school principals have a key role in managing schools because they are main decision makers, they are school leaders and they have more responsibilities than the other staff. Hence, an ethical school environment success is a definite outcome of the educational process.
References:
Kizza JM (2007). “Ethical and social issues in the information age”,
Third Edition. New York, NY: Springer-Verlog.
Karri R, Caldwell C, Antonacopoulou EP, Naegle DC (2005). “Building
trust in business schools through ethical governance”, J. Acad.
Ethics. 3 (2/4): 159-182.
Harsh S, Casto M (2007). “Professional codes of ethics: Principles and
principals”, Retrieved November 01, 2008, from The Ohio State
University, The Principal’s Office Web site:
http://principalsoffice.osu.edu/files/profreadings.3.08.php
Caldwell C, Jeane L (2007). “Ethical leadership and building trust—
Raising the bar for business”, J. Acad. Ethics. 5 (1): 1– 4.
Glanz J (2006). “What every principal should know about ethical and
spiritual leadership”, Thousand Oaks: Corwin Press: California.
Strike KA, Emil JH, Jonas FS (2005). “The Ethics of School
Administration”, Third Edition, Teachers College Press: New York.
Karaköse T (2007). “High school teachers’ perceptions towards
principals’ ethical leadership in Turkey”, Asia Pac. Educ. Rev. 8 (3):
464–477
By: Priscila Concepcion | Master Teacher I | MNHS – Poblacion | Mariveles, Bataan
