Here we go again! One more load on the shoulder of educators. Presidential elections have created so much of unrest in adults and as well as children. Uncivilized debates, name calling, corruption, allegations……the list goes on. As an educator and administrator I am worried about the impressions that these so called leaders have left on the children who are our future generation leaders. During and right after the elections, children from primary to middle school asked me the following questions.
It is a very sad that children are more convinced, after recent elections, that ignorance, unethical behavior, cheating, lying, being nasty to each other, and other such behaviors are normal for an organizational and political leader. Nothing would be devastating to see our children follow the footsteps of such leaders. We have a shortage of ethical leaders who could be a great role model for our children. That means, educators have some hard work to do to address this issue. It is an urgent need!
Though there is a disagreement that moral education should not be the responsibility of schools, I strongly believe it is time to revisit the idea. What value will a highly qualified individual bring to the society when she/he is unethical? It is time for educators and all those who are in favor of preparing ethical leaders for future to start discussing this issue rigorously.
As a part of encouraging students to pursue higher education, middle and high schools, I have seen a chart sent to educators with details about qualifications, skills, and attitudes that they need to be doctor, engineer, nurse, electrician, carpenter, plumber, etc. Perhaps it is time to add qualifications, skills, attitudes, and behaviors that leaders should have with a major emphasis on all the disappointing behaviors that our leaders in politics and other organizations have demonstrated in recent times, importantly presidential elections.
- Aren’t leaders supposed to be good role models?
- Shouldn’t leaders be honest and fair?
- Why do we elect unethical and immoral leaders to offices?
- Why do leaders cheat, lie, and be mean to each other?
- Why do leaders cut corners?
- Why do leaders act with vengeance?
- Why do leaders retaliate?
It is a very sad that children are more convinced, after recent elections, that ignorance, unethical behavior, cheating, lying, being nasty to each other, and other such behaviors are normal for an organizational and political leader. Nothing would be devastating to see our children follow the footsteps of such leaders. We have a shortage of ethical leaders who could be a great role model for our children. That means, educators have some hard work to do to address this issue. It is an urgent need!
Though there is a disagreement that moral education should not be the responsibility of schools, I strongly believe it is time to revisit the idea. What value will a highly qualified individual bring to the society when she/he is unethical? It is time for educators and all those who are in favor of preparing ethical leaders for future to start discussing this issue rigorously.
As a part of encouraging students to pursue higher education, middle and high schools, I have seen a chart sent to educators with details about qualifications, skills, and attitudes that they need to be doctor, engineer, nurse, electrician, carpenter, plumber, etc. Perhaps it is time to add qualifications, skills, attitudes, and behaviors that leaders should have with a major emphasis on all the disappointing behaviors that our leaders in politics and other organizations have demonstrated in recent times, importantly presidential elections.