7.2 Strategies to combat unethical practices
7.2.4 Model exemplary leadership or behaviour
The majority of the participants gave as their view that principals and teachers have a responsibility to lead by example. There was a consensus among most participants that, when the leader demonstrates good conduct, the subordinates find it difficult to violate the code of conduct. The visibility of the principal among teachers and learners strengthens the relationships, as they gain greater understanding of the principal and feel comfortable around her and establish a meaningful relationship with the principal (Odhiambo & Hii, 2013).
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Moreover, there was synergy among the participants’ voices that the leader gains the trust and respect of those she leads. In addition, the community respects and easily send their children to a school where there is demonstration of ethical leadership by both school principal and teachers. Even the learners’ academic performance improves if the school is led with integrity.
Learners and teachers tend to emulate the behaviour demonstrated at the top. Mr Ngobese, the principal of Zakhele Primary, had the following to say:
Those in leadership in education including Principals, South African Counsel for Educators and Department of Education need to preach ethics and show ethical leadership through their actions. They need to walk the talk and talk the walk. They must lead by example at all time.
(Mr Ngobese, principal of Zakhele Primary School)
Consistent with the foregoing, Mr Mnguni, the principal of Intuthuko Secondary School argued that:
As the principal I have a duty to provide direction to teachers. The image of the school is very much determined by my character and behaviour. So, my behaviour has to be the behaviour I can expect my teachers to demonstrate towards my learners.
(Mr Mnguni, principal of Intuthuko Secondary School)
In the same vein, Mrs Dube stated that:
Principals as leaders need to show what they expect from teachers and their learners through their actions. You know they say actions speak louder than words.
So, principals need to lead the conduct that they want their teachers to demonstrate. Principals must lead by example.
(Mrs Dube, the principal of Senzokwethu Primary School)
Similarly, Mr Mhlophe, post level, 1 educator of Ikhethelo primary of Ikhethelo Primary school shared the following:
As a teacher I have a responsibility to educate my learners how to behave. Learners look up to us as adults, so I try my best to set good example for my learners. Same with school principals have to set good example for teachers and learners.
(Mr Mhlophe, the post level 1 educator of Ikhethelo Primary School)
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Consistently with Mr Mhlophe’s assertion, Mrs Moloi averred that:
Principals set the school tone through their behaviour. The principal has to lead by example. How can a principal who absents herself from school reprimand the teacher who perpetually absents himself from school? So, the principal has to model be behaviour she expects from her teachers.
(Mrs Moloi, post level 1 educator from Senzokwethu Primary school)
Likewise, Ms Thandi shared the same sentiments with the foregoing assertions. She had the following to say:
Principals need to be good role models for everyone at school. I know that as a teacher, I have to show care to my learners so that they can learn from my behaviour. The behaviour of principal determines how teachers will behave as they look up to the principal and emulate the behaviour.
(Ms Thandi, post level 1 educator of Intuthuko Secondary school)
In concert with the foregoing assertion, Mrs Ngcobo said:
As a teacher I am a role model for my learners. So is the school principal, I look up to my school principal as my leader. Principals can make or break the school with their behaviour. Hence, they have to show set the school culture by demonstrating the behaviour that is attractive to teachers and learners.
(Mrs Ngcobo, post level 1 educator of Zakhele Primary School)
Similarly, Mr Jali, post level 1 educator of Senzokwethu Primary School contended that:
Role modelling is important to be demonstrated by principal and be embraced by educators. The conduct of educator and principal set the tone at school. Learners embrace the behaviour that is demonstrated and promoted by school principal and educators. Positive role modelling eliminates space for unethical and deviant behaviours.
(Mr Jali, post level 1 educator of Senzokwethu Primary School)
Likewise, Mr Ndlovu, the Principal of Iphothwe Secondary School believed that leading by example was significant, since the principals and educators have a parental role to play and need to teach learners in their totality to become responsible citizens. He had the following to say:
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Principal and educators serve in loco parentis and have a responsible to produce independent and responsible future leaders. As learners learn a lot through observing it is important that principals and teachers be good role models so as to mould future ethical leaders through modelled behaviour.
(Mr Ndlovu, the principal of Iphothwe Secondary School)
Similar sentiments were echoed by Mrs Thobela, who said that:
As an educator I have a responsibility to help all my learners to become responsible citizens. I know that in one way or another these learners tend to look up to us as educators the kind of behaviour to emulate, hence we have to show them the correct path so that they become responsible citizens.
(Mrs Thobela, post level 1 educator of Iphothwe Secondary School)
Participants consistently gave the view that the school principals and teachers are role models for everyone at the school. Principal and educators cannot abdicate their obligation to set a moral example for their subordinates (Bello, 2012) for their organisation to succeed. Hence, the principal’s behaviour is significant in determining the tone of the school by embracing the purpose, vision and values of the organisation and the subordinates, informed by ethical ideals (Bello, 2012). Therefore, principals need to ensure that their behaviour is consistent with the organisational goals and aspirations. Moreover, principals need to know that their actions are significant in determining how the community views the school. In addition, role modelling by the principals helps shows the subordinates the expected behaviour and it becomes easier for well-meaning principals or teachers to reprimand subordinates, as opposed to principal or an educator who violates the ethics codes when he/she has to deal with infractions of the subordinates. Good or positive role modelling was viewed by the participants as vital in moulding grooming future leaders. Ethical leaders demonstrate the traits that they observed modelled during their childhood or during their career that were rated as better ethical leaders by their employees (Voegtlin, 2015). Educators felt it was their responsibility to guide the leaders as they act on behalf of parents.