Ethics, Continuous Training Essential for Educational Advancement — Faleye

By Stanley Onyekwere

Teachers across Nigeria have been urged to take personal responsibility for their professional growth, uphold strict ethical standards, and adapt to modern instructional methods to improve the quality of education in the country.

The charge was delivered on Tuesday in Abuja during the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS) 3rd National Leadership Training Workshop, themed “The Impact of Ethics and Attitudinal Change in Managerial Leadership.”

Delivering the lead papers at the two-day event, Associate Professor Adeola Adijat Faleye of the Department of Linguistics and African Languages, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, emphasised that professional development must remain a continuous priority for educators.

In her presentation on the first day, titled “Standing With Teachers: 60 Years of Protecting the Profession, Advancing Its Status and Shaping Our Future,” Faleye traced the recognition of teaching as a profession to the 1966 UNESCO declaration, stressing that teachers must actively maintain their professional status through self-improvement, even in the absence of institutional support.

“Teachers are makers of humanity, changers of lives, and tutors to generations.

“They need to enliven themselves, improve their standing, and evolve their teaching methodologies beyond traditional approaches,” Faleye stated.

Addressing ethical challenges within the education sector, she highlighted self-ethics, managerial integrity, and public accountability, including responsibilities to students, parents, and the broader community.

She cautioned against unethical practices, noting that receiving public funds while diverting resources to establish private institutions undermines the integrity of the profession.

Faleye reminded educators of existing regulatory frameworks, such as the Nigerian Constitution and the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) Code of Conduct, which guide professional conduct and help combat systemic issues such as corruption.

She also advocated the integration of mother-tongue instruction to enhance learning outcomes.

While calling on teachers to lead by example, the scholar emphasised that transforming the education sector requires a collaborative effort among school authorities, civil society organisations, and all tiers of government.

She outlined key government responsibilities necessary to sustain public education, including:

Continuous Professional Development: Subjecting teachers to regular, structured training programmes rather than relying on one-off sessions.

Provision of Modern Teaching Tools: Equipping educators with digital tools and platforms suited to contemporary learning environments.

Regular Capacity Building: Organising routine workshops to ensure teaching methodologies remain aligned with global standards.

Resource Empowerment: Providing the necessary infrastructure and support to uphold the dignity and effectiveness of the teaching profession.

The workshop concluded with a call for union leaders and government agencies to work together to foster an environment where ethical leadership and academic excellence can thrive.