Impact of Un-ethical Decision Making in Managing Teacher Disciplinary Matters in Public Secondary Schools in Malawi

Abstract

Public administration inclusive the education sector, is catalyst for national development, it hinges citizen’s intellectual and professional development. Malawi vision 2063, for self and reliant nation incorporates New public management that calls for competent public administrators to influence delivery of quality service to Malawians. The study examines the impact of Heads unethical decisions in managing teacher disciplinary matters in public secondary schools in Malawi a case of Mzuzu City. Research implores mixed methods exploratory sequential under pragmatics paradigm. Quantitative survey uses quota sampling of estimated 9 respondents from each school within the 22 public secondary schools in Mzuzu City. Sample size of participants came to approximately 200 participants out of 514 total secondary school teachers’ population. Within each school, random sampling was utilized to identify 9 to 10 teachers. Qualitative used purposive sampling to identify one respondent from each of twenty-two secondary schools. Quantitative used semi-structured questionnaire while qualitative used interview guide to collect data. Qualitative data was transcribed and coded, codes were grouped into sub-themes and sub-themes were grouped into themes which answered research questions aided by Nvivo application. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics which ended up producing tables and graphs through SPSS 20. Through bounded rationality theoretical framework, findings reveal that respondents agreed to have knowledge of disciplinary procedures. Implying that teachers expect total compliance from responsible authorities to handle teacher disciplinary matters professionally. However, Heads gave oral warnings, written warnings, suspensions and interdictions. Heads deliberately flouted the procedures. Heads unethical decisions affected teaching and learning industry; where teachers stopped teaching for a long period of time, half pay reduced victim’s economic dignity, students suffered because they had no other teachers to teach them, some teachers left the school for better place, demoralized staff, litigations and government compensated victims of arbitrary decisions, victim teachers were sociologically affected because no other teachers wanted to associate with suspended/interdicted teacher, violation of Constitutional rights and school poor performances. The impact is negative thwarting the aspirations of Malawi Vision 2063 through derailing of quality human resources, compromised future generation and continuous breeding of mediocrity. Public service administrators deliberately bring disorder in the system for personal interests. They are committing crimes of abuse of office and neglect of official duties. Citizens be enlightened to call for accountability and transparency to those acting with mediocrity of negligence, corruption and compromised character. There must be personal liability to compensate for mediocrity.