Ethics

You discover that a teacher has inflated student grades to improve their SBA results. The ethical leader’s most appropriate response is to:

• Ignore the issue to protect staff morale
  

• Address it privately and reinforce ethical grading practices
  

• Publicly reprimand the teacher to set an example
  

A teacher demands that a disruptive student be excluded from a field trip for safety reasons. Other teachers object. The ethical leader should:

• Automatically side with the teacher to avoid conflict

• Balance fairness and inclusion by reviewing the case objectively

• Allow the teacher to decide without guidance

Only a few students can afford the fees for an overseas cultural exchange trip. Some teachers argue it should proceed since it “benefits those who can pay”. What is the most ethical response?

• Cancel the trip since it creates inequity.

• Proceed but create fundraising options to allow all interested students to participate.

• Proceed as planned since it’s not the school’s responsibility to cover costs.

A local business offers to donate tablets to your school if their banner can be displayed during the handover ceremony. What should you do?

• Accept the offer to benefit students.

• Decline the offer to maintain neutrality.

• Accept the donation but avoid public political endorsement.

You learn that a student from your school has been arrested. The principal decides not to share the details of the student with staff to protect his reputation. Was this an ethical decision?

• Yes

• No

• Unsure

You learn that a student from your school caused bodily harm to a teacher. The principal decides not to share the details of the incident to staff. Was this an ethical decision?

• Yes

• No

• Unsure

A student with repeated behavior issues is the child of a school board member. Teachers report ongoing disruptions, but the board member asks you to “go easy”. What should you do?

• Apply the school’s disciplinary policy consistently and transparently.

• Grant leniency to preserve board relations.

• Refer the matter quietly to another administrator.

A long-serving teacher’s performance has declined due to caregiving responsibilities for an ill family member. Other teachers complain about unfair workload distribution. What’s the most ethical decision?

• Offer temporary support and flexible scheduling while maintaining accountability.

• Enforce attendance rules strictly to ensure fairness.

• Ignore the issue to avoid appearing unsympathetic.

Your school plans to adopt a new online platform that stores student information abroad. Teachers are eager, but data privacy laws are unclear. How will you respond?

• Proceed since it improves efficiency.

• Delay implementation until data protection compliance is verified.

• Adopt it informally without involving the Ministry.

A respected senior teacher is accused by a student of inappropriate conduct. The teacher denies the claim, and parents rally in their defense. The Ministry advises you to “handle it quietly” until more evidence appears. What should you do?

• Place the teacher on administrative leave pending a full, impartial investigation.

• Keep the teacher in the classroom to avoid scandal.

• 11. Speak privately to the student and discourage further public mention until facts are confirmed.