The Ethical Value of Honesty Among Students: the Case of Assin Manso Senior High School, Central Region, Ghana.

Abstract

The decline of the value of honesty among senior high school students has become a concern for stakeholders of education. This concern can be seen in day to day conversation, the media and in research. The study uses the qualitative method. The qualitative research approach is used for exploring and understanding the meaning individuals or groups ascribe to a social or human problem and the main objective was to examine how the value of honesty is being practised among Senior High School students in the country, with particular reference to Assin Manso Senior High School in the Central Region of Ghana. The study revealed that students perceive honesty to be a situation where a person is always truthful. This is in line with Ghanaian society where young people are taught and encouraged to be truthful in all matters right from childhood. Students also understand honesty as a value and when pursued comes with rewards. Conclusions drawn from the study were that students perceive honesty to be a situation where a person is always true but did not know that honesty is not only about truthfulness but is also about sincerity, discipline, trustworthiness, frankness and so on. Also, some of the students were found not to be honest and this is because the students have little knowledge about honesty and its importance. The study recommends that students who cheat in an examination should be punished to serve as deterrent to others. Also, students should be educated on the benefits or the importance of being honest.