Abstract

The standard of education in Nigeria is rapidly depreciating or falling and these can be traced to poor and lackadaisical attitude of supervisors of student-teachers. Also, the issue of work ethics and attitudes of civil servants especially teachers in Benue state remains the major challenges confronting the State. It can be observed that rules and regulations are no longer observed in the civil and public service probably because of lack of proper motivations on the part of the government and those that manage our educational system.

Methodologically, the population for this study consisted of Christian civil servants in public sectors in selected secondary schools in Benue North, Benue state which are Benue African Grammar School, Benue Baptist Boys College and Benue Girls Grammar School. Interview of teachers were conducted because it is economical, convenient and practicable way of obtaining relevant, detailed and valid data. Relevant written records, recent books, journals, articles, internet facilities, and other library materials on work ethics, public service code of conducts and school management were used.

This research has clearly stated here what the concept of work ethics and civil service are. In course of doing this, it had established the fact that work ethics and the positive attitudes of teachers in Benue state pursue the same objective. Both are out for character and national building in the life of the students, parents and the government in any given society. Consequently, for education to drive home its set objectives in the life of the people certain values and ethical issues/concepts as it appears in our education system must be in place. When such ethical issues as fairness and Equity, power and Authority, Justice and Injustice, Freedom and Responsibility, punishment, Discipline, Rewards, Equality and Inequality, are adequately harness in our education system, the set objectives will easily be achieved.

It recommends that today’s civil service needs to rediscover the time-honored inbuilt system of training, retraining and adaptive skills in consonance with modern work practices and processes. It must imbibe the culture of innovation both in imagination and routine works as well as in developing appropriate tools for anticipating change and challenges. It must be able to institutionalize change in modern governance and societal development. It must see itself as a tool for the promotion of growth, peace, stability, development and democracy. PTA teachers should be guaranteed the security of their jobs to enable them put in the best in the discharge of their duties and responsibilities. The government should ensure the permanence nature of their service. The massive purge of the civil servants by successive regimes in the bid to reducing the cost of governance should be discouraged in Benue state.