Ethical Issues In Education And Their Management

Primary Ethical Issues Faced by Education Sector

Question:

Identify all the Issues that are related to Business Ethics in the Educational Sector.

According to Mitchell and Digiacomo (2014: 121), Education is considered to be a novel pursuit and imparting education is considered to be even more than that. This study deals with the ethical issues that are faced by the education sector on a regular basis. The study aims to find out the obstacles that are faced by education. At the same time, the study tries to consider the factors that help in the proper and effective management of the issues faced by the education sector so that it can focus on sustainability.

1. To study the details of the major challenges faced by the education sector which are related to business ethics
2. To learn about the factors which drive the education sector to go for an ethical management
3. To get an idea about the results of effectively managing the business ethics in the education sector

Challenges Faced

As per Brooks, Te Riele and Maguire (2014: 21-43), there are a number of ethical issues in education that must be kept in mind for the assessment of the real values which are being added to the society by the means of education. The primary issue is with the educational resources with respect to the imparting of special education. Here special education refers to the passing of education to the differently abled children. The next issue is about the dress code or the uniforms which arises several controversies on deciding whether they should be a mandate or not. This situation is quite debatable since different experts have different opinions. Then arise the disciplinary issues which are an extremely critical one from the point of view of education (Lewin, 2014: 111-132). The major challenge faced here is whether to go for a zero - tolerant policy or a tolerant policy which gives another chance better known as the second chance policy.

According to Nikola (2013: 321), the sustainability factor holds a prime importance in the education sector. The primary issue faced while concentrating on sustainability is the lack of awareness. The system that administrates the education sector are unware of the of the critical connections between education and sustainable development. The proper structuring of the education system keeping in mind the sustainability factor is of utmost importance. The lack of the effective structuring is a major challenge faced by the education sector. It becomes extremely difficult for the education system to link with the issues that already exists and is thus not able to match the changing needs to the society with respect to time (Lichtman, 2013: 54-98). Sustainable development is of a complex nature and the proper understanding of this complex nature by the overall education sector is quite a challenging task. Even more challenging is the task of completely changing the overall direction or focus of the entire education sector towards sustainability (Davim and Leal Filho, 2016: 32-51).

Importance of Sustainability in Education

As per Slater and Ravid (2013: 231-240), the stakeholders in the education sector are the ones who invest in the success and welfare of school, colleges, students, teachers and all the other components that are a part of the education sector. Now the challenge is to get hold of the stakeholders for this social cause. Like every other sector, the education industry also divides its stakeholders into two different parts: internal and external stakeholders. It is noted that the internal stakeholders consist of firm owners, managers and employees. While, on the other hand, the external group of stakeholder incorporate the society, creditors, the government, and business suppliers. Furthermore, the stakeholders in the education sector also play a major part in governing operations by prioritizing objectives. An ethical approach and mindset of them will thereby benefit the people. 

Driving Factors to Manage Ethics Effectively

As stated by Griffiths (2015: 187-201), the education sector needs to properly address the various challenges and issues on order to achieve an effective reform. There are a number of factors that propels the effective management of all the ethical problems that arise. The most important factor is the concept of education for all. Education for refers to the system of education that imparts education to any irrespective of their caste, creed, social status, religion, physical condition etc. The notion for education for all plays a crucial role in the management of the ethical issues faced by the education sector.

Imparting education to all takes the literacy level of the country to a height which in turn is extremely vital for the social and economic development of the country (Davim, 2015: 198). When the development the country is in question, all are ready to do the necessary things that are required to overcome the challenges or issues that are faced by the education sector. Hence, proves to be a driving force in the effective management of all the ethical issues faced by the sector.

As stated by Eaton, Hughes and Macgregor (2017: 143-198), the young generation are the future of the country. The youth of the country are basic elements that give rise to good and bright future. Now, the thing is that everyone focuses on the present keeping in mind the ultimate target of a good future and do all the things that are necessary. The similar is the situation in case of the education sector as well. Imparting effective education to the students would help in the creation of bright and prosperous future. Thus, the education system tries its best to overcome all the challenges faced by doing all the things that are required so that there is no compromise in imparting education. Thus, it can be very well understood that giving adequate education to the youth for a better future proves to be a propelling force in the proper and effective management of the ethical issues that arises in the education sector.

Role of Stakeholders in Education Sector

Another major force that acts as the driving force towards managing the ethical issues in the education sector is increasing the awareness among the residents of the country. It is to be remembered that more the people becomes aware of the components of the education system, the easier would be the path of imparting education. According to Mitchell and Digiacomo (2014: 121), increased awareness among the people would make it easier and convenient to deal with all the ethical issues in the education sector.

Proper Management of Issues Helps Education Sector

According to West and Worthington (2017: 143-198), Ethics is business or in an industry is recognized as the key to growth and development. The same happens in the education sector as well. It is noted that there would be a number of hurdles in the path of success but overcoming the hurdles is what is to be tried. Based on the above section it can be inferred that several issues that play the role of obstacles in the education sector. But it is also very true that a proper and effective management of ethics and the presence of moral conduct are of immense help. First and foremost, imparting ethical education increases the literacy rate of a country which is extremely beneficial for the overall development.

There are many who cannot afford to pay for their education and other needs. In this regard, the donation from the stakeholders proves to be extremely helpful to arrange for education to all. Thus, the formation of a group of proper stakeholders and an ethical conduct by them to benefit the people rather than focusing on profit maximisation in the education sector would be very crucial in imparting education to the population. Moreover, there should not be a mandatory dress code for all. It is to be remembered that education is primary and dress code is secondary (Nata, 2015: 110-121). Thus, the dress code should be a mandate for the ones who are able to afford it and not all, this in turn benefits the education sector significantly. Additionally, it is only with a ethical code of conduct, that the education system can serve both the rich and poor communities in a nation.

Conclusion

Based on the project it can be inferred that there are major challenges that the education sector has to face with regards to the business ethics. The study also revealed how the challenges arise and how does it affect the various components of the education sector. In the next part of the study, the focus is on the major factors which drives the management to go and deal with the issues and challenges that have come in the path of the education sector. It talks about taking the proper measures and steps so that all the issues can be effectively dealt with. Eventually, at the end of the study, it is revealed that how beneficial it is for the education sector when all the issues and challenges are properly addressed. It proves how a reform in the overall education sector can be achieved if all the obstacles can be removed from the path of education sector.

References

Brooks, R., Te Riele, K., and Maguire, M. (2014). Ethics and education research, Los Angeles. SAGE, p. 21-43.

Davim, J. P. (2015). Sustainability in higher education, Amsterdam. Chandos Publishing, p. 198.

Davim, J. P., and Leal Filho, W. (2016). Challenges in higher education for sustainability, New York. Springer International Publishing, p. 32-51.

Eaton, M., Hughes, H., and Macgregor, J. (2017). Contemplative approaches to sustainability in higher education: theory and practice, New York. Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, pp. 143- 198.

Griffiths, M. (2015). Re-imagining relationships in education: ethics, politics and practices, England. Wiley Blackwell, p. 187-201.

Lewin, D. (2014). New perspectives in philosophy of education: ethics, politics and religion, London, New York. Bloomsbury Academic, pp. 111-132.

Lichtman, M. (2013). Qualitative research in education: a user's guide, Los Angeles. SAGE Publications, pp. 54-98.

Mitchell, D., and Digiacomo, K. (2014). Morality and ethics in education, Chatham, NY. Waldorf Publications, p. 121.

Nata, R. (2015). Progress in education, New York. Nova Science Publishers, pp. 110-121.

Nikolaj. D., (2013). Everybody Present: Mindfulness in Education, Australia. Parallax Press, p. 321.

Slater, J. J., and Ravid, R. (2013). Collaboration in Education, New York. Routledge, pp. 231-240.

West, L. L., and Worthington, A. C. (2017). Handbook of research on emerging business models and managerial strategies in the nonprofit sector, Hershe. IGI Global, p. 311.