Heading:
Promoting responsibility and professionalism in South African schools:
principal's strategy
Introduction:
Schools in South Africa are increasingly concerned about teachers' unprofessional
behavior, from absenteeism to missing class time. The purpose of this paper is to address
this issue and provide strategies for school leaders to instill values such as accountability
and professionalism in teachers. By addressing different types of unprofessional conduct,
implementing effective policies, and fostering a culture of professionalism, schools can
create an environment conducive to quality education and student growth.
Types of Unprofessional Conduct at School:
Professional misconduct in schools can take many forms. First, absenteeism is common
when teachers do not attend school regularly or are late, leading to learning disabilities for
students. Second, some teachers do not meet the scheduled class times and neglect their
teaching responsibilities, resulting in inconsistent teaching in the classroom. Third,
inappropriate behavior may occur, including disrespectful behavior toward students,
colleagues, and parents. Finally, some teachers may lack dedication and commitment, fail
to keep up with professional development, and refuse to take responsibility for their
students' performance.
Strategies that promote accountability and professionalism:
Addressing these challenges requires comprehensive strategies to promote teacher
accountability and professionalism. The following steps can help school leaders implement
an effective approach.
1. Set clear expectations.
School leaders should set clear expectations for professional conduct, attendance and
commitment to educational responsibilities. These expectations should be communicated
to all teachers through staff meetings, written policies and performance reviews.