Ethical Leadership of Head Teachers and its Impact on Teachers’ Motivation at the Elementary Level

Abstract

The present study employed a quantitative, descriptive research design to examine the impact of ethical leadership on elementary school teachers’ motivation in public elementary schools of a district in Punjab, Pakistan. It was a quantitative and descriptive study in nature. Considering the ethical guidelines, a questionnaire was administered to 400 randomly selected male and female elementary-level teachers. In developing the survey instrument, relevant literature was reviewed, and expert input was obtained to ensure the appropriateness of the questions for assessing the variables of interest. The confidentiality of the respondents was maintained throughout the data-gathering process. The collected data was statistically analyzed using SPSS software version 20, measuring means, and standard deviations. The results revealed a significant positive association between principals’ ethical leadership style - characterized by integrity, honesty, and considerate treatment of staff – and elevated intrinsic motivation levels among teachers. As educational leaders shape the culture in their institutions, these findings carry important implications. Promoting ethical leadership through enhanced training and modeling desired behaviors can improve teacher retention, performance, and job satisfaction. It can translate to better outcomes for students. Further in-depth inquiries through qualitative and longitudinal research across diverse settings can enrich understanding of this phenomenon and aid the development of context-specific interventions leveraging ethical leadership to motivate teachers.