P. PASHAPAP. PASHAPA

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-ETHICS-STUDENT/

LECTURER,LECTURER/LECTURER RELATIONSHIPS

OUTLINE2

Defining ethicsSome ObservationsLecturer roles and obligationsUnethical behavioursEffects on students and lecturersBenefits of good ethical behaviour

Common Occurrences3

Thigh for a passTeacher writes exam for studentExam scripts go missingLecturer sells degree certificatesExaminations leakedExamination question papers circulating in

hostelsLecturer proposal captured on cell phoneStudents drugged and raped during a party

Why Ethics4

A means of deciding on a course of actionStudents spend a great part of their lives at

school and therefore educational institutions contribute significantly to the quality of their lives

Teachers/lecturers turn into very important people due to the impact they make while teaching

Defining Ethics5

The right vs the wrongThe good vs the evilMoral dutyMoral obligationMoral philosophyA system of moral valuesA guide for actionValues and associated behaviours

Some Observations6

The education profession is vested by the public with trust and responsibility requiring the highest ideals of professional service

Students’ expectations on lecturers’ actions are higher regarding ethics

The collective and individual action of a member will affect the overall image of the institution

Obligations: You shall not7

• Deny the student access to varying points of view

• Unreasonably restrain the student from independent action in the pursuit of learning

• Deliberately suppress or distort subject matter relevant to the student’s progress

• Intentionally expose the student to embarassment or belittling

• Exclude any student from participating in any programme on the basis of race, sex, religion etc

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•Deny any benefits to any student on the basis of race, creed, colour, culture, sexual orientation etc•Grant any advantage to any student on the basis of race, colour, creed etc•Use professional relationships with students for private advantage•Disclose information about students obtained in the course of professional service

Lecturer/Student Relationship9

There has to be a sort of closeness between a student and his/her lecturer

Such closeness must be cordial and tolerantThe lecturer should always be on the lookout

for signs of the development of unethical behaviour

The source of unethical behaviour can be the lecturer or the student

UNETHICAL BEHAVIOUR10

Taking advantage of the student

Sexual relationshipsVictimisation

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TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE STUDENT

Demand money from students especially male students

Demand payment in kind or flesh rather than cash especially female students

Influencing students to be frivolous since they can always finance their way through

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SEXUAL RELATIONSHIP

• Normally involves male staff and younger female students (can also be lesbian/gay or female lecturer and male student)

• Power imbalance since lecturer awards grades, sets exams, grants or denies extensions, lecturer sits on examination boards

• The student’s freedom of choice is reduced

VICTIMISATION13

• A result of the student’s lack of cooperation in sexual relationship and payment or other favours

• Students normally do not have evidence or proof

• The law is likely to side with the lecturer• The student may fail the course• May be very embarrassing to married female

students

EFFECTS ON STUDENT14

Student becomes isolated and labeled by both staff and students

Student suffers extreme distressStudent may be harassed - over severe

markingStudent may abandon studies in order to

terminate relationship

EFFECTS ON LECTURER15

• Student may complain of sexual harassment if relationship breaks down

• The relationship may be considered a disciplinary offence

• Other students may feel some are getting preferential treatment

• Loss of respect• Tension is created between the whole group

of students and lecturer• Staff conflicts (Should I or shouldn’t I

report?)

LECTURER/LECTURER RELATIONSHIP

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Shall not knowingly make false or malicious statements about a colleague

Shall not disclose info about colleagues obtained in the course of professional service

Shall not accept gratuity, gift, or favour that might impair or influence professional decisions or action

Be responsible and accountable for your actions

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Be fair and honestEncourage others to act in an ethical and

professional manner

BENEFITS OF GOOD ETHICS18

Cultivation of strong teamwork and productivity

Promotion of a strong public imageStrengthening of the university’s cultureImproves trust in lecturer/student and

lecturer/lecturer relationshipsEnables the achievement of high

standards/quality of work and products

CONCLUSION19

Treat every student as your own childYou are your brother’s keeperYou should always be humble and honest in

your dealings with yourself and with both students and colleagues