Professional ethics and teachers’ performance in secondary schools in Uganda, a case of selected schools in Mityana district

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to assess how professional ethics and practice impact teachers’ performance in Mityana District. The objectives of the study were to (i) establishing the level of qualification for the teachers, (ii) to assess the professional practices in the teaching and learning amongst teachers in the school environment, and (iii) to identify the relationship between the teacher’s qualification and their practices in the teaching and learning environment. A cross sectional study design was employed in this study where both qualitative and quantitative approaches were used for data collection and data analysis. The expected target population to engage was 250 respondents in this study. A simple random sampling method was used to select teachers, students, and community members while purposive sampling method was used to select head teachers, DEO, DIS and DES. For quantitative data, descriptive statistics (percentages and frequencies) were employed to establish the views of respondents on background information and each of the variables in this study was presented while using inferential statistics. A case study design was adopted complemented with both qualitative and quantitative approaches. A questionnaire, interview guide and documentary check list and observation check list were developed and applied as the key instruments used to collect data. Both primary and secondary sources were considered during data collection. This was because none of them would yield sufficient data for this study if used singly. Content analysis, both quantitative and qualitative data analysis techniques were involved as stated by Sekaran (2003), that, after data has been obtained, it should be analyzed through editing, coding, categorizing, creating data files and programming. The researcher used both qualitative and quantitative methods of analyzing data. The researcher therefore, used tables to present data got from the field, tally and frequencies; percentages were calculated and then interpreted to derive the meaning of the frequencies in the table. The study established that schools have at least more one tool for tracking professionalism in relation to attendance, it was also revealed that teachers in their duty stations lack access to teachers’ code of conduct as many schools do not avail them and in some school they are kept in the administrative offices with less free access to teachers, several teachers were also found working as part-timers i.e. have many schools they are teaching on a practice they colloquially call (TVS i.e. Teachers with Various Schools). The study found that many secondary schools are using qualified teachers eligible to attend leaners at such academic level, many teachers were found holding Diploma level and Bachelor’s degree apart from few who are in leadership position were found with post graduate levels up to Master’s degree. The study also found that majority of the teachers is still moderately capable for fulfilling their professional duties. This indicates an average performance. Teachers have basic understanding of pedagogical concepts and can perform essential classroom tasks adequately. However, they may not yet demonstrate strong innovation, reflection, or consistency in professional practice. Such teachers need moderate support or continuous professional development to improve. The study recommended that, the management committees and schools administration work together to enable conducive work environment for the teachers as this in turn will increase efficiency, effectiveness, productivity and the job commitment of teachers. Also, the school administrators should ensure that teachers have a work life balance to avoid overworking. Ministry of education and sports through the district education officers should intensify supervision of teachers’ professional practices especially at their work places as this determines the general performance of the students and image of the teaching profession. The Ministry of education and sports should support professional development programs for teachers are to close the gaps in the professional practices especially in terms of inter personal relationship and leadership. It was also recommended in the study that Teacher Educational Institutes should focus on communicating professional ethics in the context of workplace norms.