IMPACT OF PROFESSIONAL MISCONDUCT ON THE TEACHING AND LEARNING OF BUSINESS STUDY

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

According to the advanced learner dictionary, a professional is a person associated with a career that requires particular training and expertise or a high degree of education. While misconduct refers to improper professional behaviors or poor management. Professional misconduct currently refers to one who exceeds the authorized scope of his profession (Adebayor 2014).

In addition, business studies refers to the study of subjects associated with money and company management. What are the potential consequences of professional misconduct in the teaching and learning of business studies in junior high schools? Without such norms or ethical views, professional skill may be misapplied or misdirected, and the school will not fulfill its aims and objectives. Professional ethics contribute favorably to the enhancement of the teaching and learning process; hence, it is essential that instructors adhere to the guiding principles of the teaching profession. The tendency has become so extreme and rapid that it impacts both student and teacher performance (Adebayor 2014).

Evidently, teachers are the imagemakers and their students are the leaders of tomorrow; consequently, the high and rapid rate of professional misconduct will likely spread to the larger society. In the context of the teaching profession, professional misconduct is a pattern of unethical or indecent behavior shown by any member of the teaching profession. These are established standards and sound patterns of conduct aimed to promote the operational integrity of any formal organization, such as schools. Members are obligated to adhere to this set pattern when performing their official duties.

Peremode (2002) states, "A professional code of ethics refers to the specific set of ideas, values, and standards of individual professional conduct in relation to professional obligations and responsibilities, as authorized and enforced by the membership of a professional association." Peremode goes on to say that in the majority of circumstances, a professional code of ethics regulates the right connection between practitioners (Teachers) and clients (Students) so as to safeguard the clients. In addition, the code specifies the acceptable interaction between practitioners for mutual protection.

Hoyle's (2004) Similarly, a professional educator's code of ethics is concerned with the teacher's interaction with students, parents, the general public, other teachers, administrators, supervisors, and the educational profession.

Barrup (2003) concurred with the assertion that an ideal teacher must have a positive rapport with pupils without violating the ethics of the profession.

Now that the instructors were aware of their role and how to carry it out, they could ensure the absence of professional misconduct. How can teachers use this advice to teach students about the consequences of professional misbehavior in business studies?

According to research, methodologist asserts that for decades teachers have failed to emphasize the repercussions of professional misconduct, and as a result, the majority of the fruits of their labor, i.e. their former students, have not been successful in their business facilities: some have ruined their businesses due to bribes, and companies have collapsed due to the infidelity of the management board members. One may argue that this is a self-inflicted problem, but consider the case of a toddler who does not comprehend what fire is but can learn if someone explains it to him; such a child would not have been burned if someone had warned him about the dangers of touching fire. The same holds true for a student who has been instructed to be strict, loyal, or truthful and resolute in commercial dealings with others (Barrup 2003).

According to research, methodologist asserts that for decades teachers have failed to emphasize the repercussions of professional misconduct, and as a result, the majority of the fruits of their labor, i.e. their former students, have not been successful in their business facilities: some have ruined their businesses due to bribes, and companies have collapsed due to the infidelity of the management board members. One may argue that this is a self-inflicted problem, but consider the case of a toddler who does not comprehend what fire is but can learn if someone explains it to him; such a child would not have been burned if someone had warned him about the dangers of touching fire. The same holds true for a student who has been instructed to be strict, loyal, or truthful and resolute in commercial dealings with others.

What does business studies signify in relation to employment? Business studies entail more than simply buying and selling; they are mostly utilized in manufacturing, contracts, civil services, and even education. Any career that involves spending money is an economic one. The profession of business combines banking, education, engineering, construction, accounting, and economics, among other disciplines.

According to US education law 6530, a teacher must inform his pupils of the consequences of lying, taking bribes, ignorance of duty, obtaining a fake license, and practicing outside the authorized area of his trade (Hoyle 2004).

It is common knowledge that both commercial and public sectors have been plagued by corruption, which has had a negative impact on the nation's economy. For this to be completely eradicated, business studies-trained professors must pay close attention to the subject of business studies and inform students of the benefits and consequences of abiding by business regulations.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

There appears to be an increasing demand for professionalism in all nations of the globe in order to bring about the desired transformation of society for the betterment of man. As a result of professional misconduct, however, a variety of problems have emerged in the academic performance of secondary schools, some of which are widespread failure in external examinations; truancy; disobedience; hooliganism, etc (Barrup 2003).

1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The main objective of the study is to assess the impact of professional misconduct on the teaching and learning of business study. Precisely, this study seeks to:

i.          To determine whether  professional misconduct has an impact on the teaching and learning of business study.

ii.        To examine the causes of professional misconduct in secondary schools.

iii.      To find out the effects of professional misconduct in secondary schools.

iv.      To find out ways professional misconduct in secondary schools can be curbed.

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The following questions will be answered in this study:

i.          Does professional misconduct have an impact on the teaching and learning of business study?

ii.        What are the causes of professional misconduct in secondary schools?

iii.      What are the effects of professional misconduct in secondary schools?

iv.      What are the ways professional misconduct in secondary schools can be curbed?

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

Teachers must maintain a defined pace to comply to the ethics of the teaching profession and address the high incidence of professional misconduct at all levels of teaching and learning business studies in the junior secondary school system, where the rate of professional misconduct is growing rapidly. This research will be pertinent and substantial enough to give some beneficial insights into the impact of professional misconduct on the effectiveness of teaching and learning. This investigation will also demonstrate the extent to which instructors' unethical behavior has significantly impacted the teaching and learning performance of business studies among high school students.

In addition, the purpose of this letter is to bring the attention of the Kano State Government to the extent to which this impacts professional misconduct in secondary schools. It would also allow the inspectorate unit of the post primary teaching service commission (PPTESCOM) to investigate and monitor unethical conduct prior to recruitment.

The researcher hopes that the successful completion of this study would be of significant use to the Kano State Ministry of Education in its efforts to routinely organize seminars, workshops, and symposia on the ethics of the teaching profession in order to improve students' academic performance. In addition, educational administration, parents, instructors, students, the government, and the general public will gain from this research.

1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This study is focused on assessing the impact of professional misconduct on the teaching and learning of business study. Precisely, this study is focused on determining whether professional misconduct has an impact on the teaching and learning of business study, examining the causes of professional misconduct in secondary schools, finding out the effects of professional misconduct in secondary schools and finding out ways professional misconduct in secondary schools can be curbed.

Teachers and students of selected secondary schools in Kano metropolis will be the respondents of the survey of this study.

1.7 LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

As with any human endeavor, the researcher experienced small impediments while performing the study. Due to the scarcity of literature on the subject as a result of the discourse's nature, the researcher incurred additional financial expenses and spent additional time sourcing for relevant materials, literature, or information, as well as during the data collection process, which is why the researcher chose a small sample size. Additionally, the researcher conducted this inquiry in conjunction with other scholarly pursuits. Additionally, because only a small number of respondents were chosen to complete the research instrument, the results cannot be applied to other secondary schools outside the state. Regardless of the limits faced throughout the investigation, all aspects were reduced to ensure the best outcomes and the most productive research.

1.8 DEFINITION OF TERMS

Impact: A marked effect or influence.

Misconduct: Unacceptable or improper behaviour, especially by an employee or professional person.