The effectiveness of professional code of conduct in shaping teachers’ moral conduct in Tanzania: a case of selected community secondary school in Mufindi district

This study investigated the effectiveness of the professional code conduct in shaping teachers’ moral conduct in secondary school in Mufindi District. The study sought to (i) determine teachers’ awareness of the professional code of conduct (ii) determine the effectiveness of the professional code of conduct; and (iii) examine the impacts of professional code of conduct on teachers’ behaviour. The study employed a qualitative research approach and in particular a case study research design. Purposive and randomly sampling were used to obtain 56 information made up of 48 teachers’ six head teachers, one district secondary education officer (DSEO) and one teachers’ service department (TSD) secretary. Data were collected through interviews and documentary review. The data were analyzed following the Miles and hurber man (1994) model of qualitative data analysis. The study established that, the majority of teacher informants were aware of the professional code of conduct. They described the source of their awareness as experience, circulars and manuals, seminars and staff meetings. It is also established that, professional code of conduct was effective in shaping teachers’ moral conduct, as indicated where by indicators such as, dressing code, cooperation among teachers, punctuality and regular class attendance. The study also established that, professional code of conduct had positive impact on teachers’ behaviour, as it helped to create mutual trust and cordial relations among teachers and society. On the basis of these findings the study concludes that teachers’ awareness of the professional code of conduct was largely influenced by teaching experience and staff meeting rather than by being oriented with knowledge – based skills. Therefore. The study recommends that the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training (MoEVT) should introduced courses on teachers’ professionalism in all teachers’ colleges and universities to ensure that teachers were well prepared and fully acquainted with the principles underpinning the teaching profession. Also, the District Secondary Education Officer (DSEO) and Teachers’ Service Department secretary ( TSD)should conduct seminars and workshop for teachers regularly in relation to the profession code of conduct to remind them about their professional obligations.