The entrenchment of public service ethics in the public schools System: a case study of Umhlathuze Local Municipality
| dc.contributor.author | Nxumalo, Thabani Israel | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2023-03-14T09:35:04Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2023-03-14T09:35:04Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2019 | |
| dc.description | A thesis submitted in fulfillment of the academic requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of Mathematical Science in the Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering, University of Zululand, 2020. | en_US |
| dc.description.abstract | The entrenchment of public service ethics in the public-school system in the uMhlathuze Local Municipality is aimed at improving the behaviour of school-based and office-based educators which can have a positive significant in reducing corruption and all other forms of unethical conduct in the public sector. Ethics is important in public administration, particularly in public schools of uMhlathuze Local Municipality, and the whole of King Cetshwayo District and South Africa as a whole. A total of 125 learners from 25 public schools in the uMhlathuze Local Municipality and a total of 125 school-based educators participated in the research study. The study also collected data from five Office-based educators from each circuit including the uMhlathuze Cluster Manager. Data analysis was done using both qualitative and quantitative methods which include inferential and descriptive statistics. Data was based on information related to the perception of school–based and office-based educators about the entrenchment of public service ethics in the public-school system of uMhlathuze local Municipality. Research findings demonstrated that there were many challenges surrounding the implementation of public service ethics in uMhlathuze Local Municipality. Seventy- five per cent of the respondents indicated that, although there are measures in place, they were not explained to school-based educators. It is clear that school-based educators have a challenge regarding access to information. It is a futile exercise to make a host of policies but to make insufficient effort to ensure that they are understood by the people involved and are properly implemented in the work place. Controversy surrounds the behaviour of school-based and office-based educators in uMhlathuze Local Municipality and the King Cetshwayo District, particularly in the appointment of post level-one educators and in the promotion posts of Principals, Deputy Principals, Heads of Department and office-based posts. Public servants are expected to conform to ethical standards in the public sector, and to promote ethical leadership. The media has recently exposed a large number of cases of unethical conduct specifically within the South African Education Department, and particularly in the uMhlathuze Local Municipality, where school-based educators use corporal xiii punishment and are suspected of having sexual relations with learners. Amundsen, (2009:10) argues that, “the public sector is composed of two core elements; at the political level there are political institutions where policies are formulated and the (major) decisions are made, and at the administrative there is the public sector administration, which is in charge of implementing these policies”. South Africa seems to have a number of good policies, but the implementation of polices and decisions are raised only now and again, either at the Provincial Level or at Local Government Level. In the light of what has been stated above, it is evident that there is a need for the entrenchment of public service ethics in the public-school system, particularly in the uMhlathuze Local Municipality. There seems to be a crisis in public confidence in the government and a lack of public trust in public institutions. A Quality Learning and Teaching Campaign cannot be effective where there is a lack of public trust. Professionalism should be maintained at all times. School-based and office-based morality should be addressed by entrenching public service ethics in the public-school system. All other stakeholders such as learners, educators’ Unions and school governing bodies should also be sensitive to ethical issues. In the last chapter of this study the researcher has highlighted some recommendations to be implemented as a turnaround strategy, which should enhance the entrenchment of public service ethics in uMhlathuze Local Municipality and in South Africa as a whole. The following key words have been used in the study: public service ethics, corruption, professional code of ethics, professionalism, and public sector. It is important to highlight the indispensability of ethics and of sound ethical conduct amongst school-based and office-based educators in the uMhlathuze Local Municipality. Public service ethics need to be understood clearly by school-based and office-based educators, if there is seriousness about the desire to achieve quality education in South Africa. No one should compromise the implementation of the Public Service Code of Conduct, (2016). This can enhance the implementation of the National Development Plan towards the realisation of goals for 2030. The entrenchment of public service ethics in the public-school system in the uMhlathuze Local Municipality is aimed reducing corruption and all other forms of unethical conduct. The entrenchment of public service ethics in public schools is a subject of importance in the third decade of South Africa`s democracy. Various public administration gurus such Wood, xiv (2004:188), Moilanen and Salimanne, (2006:22), Meguid, (2011:5), Dale, (2000:180), MacCarthaigh, (2008:18 and Kernaghan (2003), unanimously agree that the following principles serve as cornerstones for public life; these include: selflessness, integrity, honesty, leadership, objectivity, openness and accountability. These principles should be instilled in the minds of all school-based and office-based educators so as to produce quality service delivery and quality education in South Africa. Public servants in general and public representatives, including political office bearers should gain the public trust. It is true that corruption is a challenge on a Global, National, Provincial and Local level, and should be tackled ethically. Giving affirmation to the status quo can serve as a major blow to economic development and to social needs. Corruption is perceived as a threat by many authors globally and should be reduced because it has a negative impact on a country that ironically subscribes to democratic values and principles of public administration. These authors include Waweru (2010), Menzel, (2015 and Kimath, (2010). | en_US |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://hdl.handle.net/10530/2161 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | en_US |
| dc.publisher | University of Zululand | en_US |
| dc.subject | public service ethics | en_US |
| dc.subject | school-based and office-based educators | en_US |
| dc.title | The entrenchment of public service ethics in the public schools System: a case study of Umhlathuze Local Municipality | en_US |
| dc.type | Thesis | en_US |
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