Title: Influence Of Workplace Ethics On Teachers' Job Commitment In Public Secondary Schools In Delta And Edo States, Nigeria
Authors: EYENANAOTU F. J. AKPOTU N.E. & ASIYAI
R. I.
Volume: 10
Issue: 6
Pages: 124-130
Publication Date: 2026/06/28
Abstract:
Education is a key driver of national development, and the commitment of teachers significantly influences quality of education in public secondary schools. However, the job commitment of teachers is shaped by multiple factors, including workplace ethics. Despite its significant, limited empirical studies have examined the influence of this factor on teachers' job commitment in Delta and Edo States. This study examined the relationships between workplace ethics and teachers' job commitment in public secondary schools in Delta and Edo States, Nigeria. Two research questions were raised, and two hypotheses were formulated and tested. The study employed a correlational research design. The population for this study comprised 15,378 administrators and teachers from all public secondary schools in Delta and Edo States. A total sample of 592 respondents was drawn from 74 public secondary schools using a multi-stage sampling technique. Data were collected using the Workplace Ethics Questionnaire (WEQ) and the Teachers' Job Commitment Questionnaire (TJCQ). The face validity of the instruments was ensured through expert judgment, while content and construct validity were assessed using factor analysis. Reliability testing using the internal consistency method (Cronbach Alpha) yielded coefficients of 0.884 and 0.832 for the WEQ and TJCQ, respectively, indicating high reliability. The questionnaires were distributed to the selected teachers with the assistance of five research assistants to ensure smooth administration. Out of 592 questionnaires, 504 (85%) were returned and found valid for analysis. Data were analyzed using r coefficient of determination and regression analysis. All hypotheses were tested at a significance level of p ? 0.05. The major findings of the study are: i) there is a strong positive significant relationship between workplace ethics and teachers' job commitment in public secondary schools. (ii) Gender does not significantly contribute to the relationship between workplace ethics and teachers' job commitment. Based on these findings, it was recommended among others that school administrators should model high ethical standards in their leadership practices to inspire similar conduct among teachers. This study has contributed to knowledge by demonstrating that workplace ethics contribute to teachers' job commitment, and that sex does not significantly influence perceptions of workplace ethics in public secondary schools.