The role and importance of the problem of ethics in education

Abstract

The purpose of this research; To evaluate the role and importance of the ethical problem in education through the ethical perceptions of primary school teacher candidates. The research was designed in accordance with the phenomenology pattern, one of the qualitative research designs. In this research, 40 teacher candidates studying in primary school teaching departments in various universities in Kazakhstan in the 2021-2022 academic year constitute the study group of the research. Research data were collected through a semi-structured interview form developed by the researchers. As a result of the research; Primary school teacher candidates' views on ethical behaviors in the teaching profession were evaluated, and teachers ranked ethical behaviors as professional commitment, justice/equality, honesty/reliability, objectivity/impartiality, professional development, respect and professionalism. The pre-service teachers who participated in the research described discrimination, professional abuse, bribery, indiscipline and irresponsibility as unethical behaviors. In addition, the majority of teacher candidates participating in the research stated that the role of ethical behavior in the teaching profession is very effective. It is necessary to increase the courses taken by pre-service teachers during their education on professional ethics, and the course content should be developed in order to ensure their development.

Keywords; Ethical behavior, ethics in education,  prospective teachers, unethical behavior.