Characteristics of ethical decision-making process of school leaders in public senior high schools in Dormaa Ahenkro municipality of Brong- Ahafo region in Ghana

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the characteristics of ethical decision-making of Senior High School leaders in the Dormaa Ahenkro Municipality of the Brong-Ahafo Region of Ghana. The study was a descriptive survey that employed a mixed method approach. The study used census method to select 66 respondents consisting of Headmasters/mistresses, Assistant Heads, Senior House masters and Mistresses and Housemasters and mistresses. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data. The study found that school leaders were essentially pre-disposed to be professional in ethical decision-making with a tendency to applying school rules and regulations. Respondents overwhelmingly adopted the professional ethical framework to resolve ethical dilemma but also utilized ethics of care, justice and critique in their decision. The notable background characteristic of respondent‟s position and experience at that position influenced their choice of framework but experience in teaching mediated their choice towards a more caring and just attitude. In conclusion, school leaders in Dormaa Ahenkro Municipality are inclined to be professional in their ethical decision making but also indicate a tendency towards adopting multiple ethical decision making frameworks. The study recommends that the professional code of practice and ethics be regularly interrogated to incorporate issues of care and justice. Also the study recommends among others that the Ghana Education Service takes measures to address the tendency towards use of other ethics rather than the professional as well as to organize community-school relationships.