FACTORS INFLUENCING ETHICAL STANDARDS OF SUPERVISORS IN SUPERVISION OF INSTRUCTION IN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOL IN ANAMBRA STATE, NIGERIA.

Abstract

The study examined factors influencing ethical standards of supervisors of instruction in public secondary school in Anambra State Nigeria. Two research questions were answered in the study. The study adopted a descriptive research design. The population comprised 1,200 public secondary school teachers in Anambra State. Using a proportionate sampling technique, 120 teachers were sampled as respondents. This represented 10% of the population. A 23-item questionnaire, constructed by the researchers, titled “Factors Influencing Ethical Standards of Supervisors Questionnaire” (FIESSQ) was used as the instrument for data collection. It was validated by three experts in education. The test of reliability of the instrument yielded a co-efficient of 0.88 and 0.84. Mean scores and Standard Deviation were used to answer the research question. Major findings of the study included that exploitative relationship, favouritism, discrimination, scapegoating, intolerance, derogatory treatment, conflict of interest, etc, were the factors that influence ethical standards of supervisors of instruction in Anambra State. The findings also revealed that fostering positive learning environment, setting clear guidelines, prompt response to issues, clear communication channels, well defined expectations, training programmes, amongst others, constituted ways by which supervisors can improve ethical standards in supervision of instruction in the state. Based on the findings, the researchers recommended that both the Federal and the State government should provide ethical training programmes to educate supervisors in ethical principles, in order to promote ethical conducts, Government should establish clear guidelines and policies on ethical conducts for supervisors with full implementation, to ensure that supervisors understand their responsibilities and expectations. It was also recommended that the education system should conduct regular evaluation of supervisors’ performance and establish disciplinary procedures for ethical violation.  Based on the findings, the researchers, finally concluded that there are factors that influence ethical standards of supervisors in supervision of instruction in public secondary schools in Anambra State and that these detrimental factors cannot be neglected. Ethical standards, being an important aspect of school, needs serious concentration. Hence proper approach is fundamental to the change because a good measure of ethics in supervisory practices will contribute to the achievement of a more just and sustainable national goal of education in the country.