Capacitating the state through the promotion of sound ethics and professionalism within the teaching profession

Abstract

Paper presented at the South African Association of Public Administration and Management (SAAPAM) 9th Annual Conference, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, 30-31 October 2008. The Conference theme was "Consolidating state capacity". This paper acknowledges that, despite increasing expenditure in education in South Africa, there are indications that outputs and outcomes in education are not responding fast enough to increase spending in education within the country. Although parents and learners are also major stakeholders within education, the paper argues that any attempt to improve outputs and outcomes needs the support and commitment of teachers. This, therefore, calls for a need to promote sound ethics and professionalism within the teaching profession. This paper argues that although professionalism and ethical conduct by teachers have major impacts within the teaching and learning environment there has not yet been any common approach by government and teachers in South Africa. This creates a need for change of attitude from all concerned if the desired results are to be achieved. While some progress has been made to close the gap between the government and teachers on issues of professionalism there are still more to be done. Finally certain recommendations are proposed that involve various stakeholders so that an environment conducive for teachers’ professionalism and ethical conduct is created.