ETHICS AND GOOD GOVERNANCE: PILLARS OF QUQLITY AND SUSTAINABILITY IN EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATION

Abstract

This academic article aims to analyze and synthesize the concepts, principles, and significance of ethics and good governance within the context of educational administration. It argues that these two elements are not merely desirable attributes but are decisive factors for the quality, equity, and sustainability of an education system. This study compiles and analyzes concepts from leading Thai and international scholars, including Aristotle, Immanuel Kant, Peter Drucker, Prawase Wasi, and Bowornsak Uwanno, as well as practices from international organizations like the World Bank and the OECD. The analysis reveals that ethics serves as the foundational principle for administrators' thoughts and decisions, while good governance acts as a systemic mechanism that translates ethical values into practice through six key principles: the rule of law, morality, transparency, participation, accountability, and value for money. The article presents challenges to implementing these principles in the Thai education system, such as structural issues, a patronage culture, and the lack of effective monitoring mechanisms. It also proposes strategies to promote ethics and good governance at three levels: the individual level (developing ethical leadership), the organizational level (creating a transparent organizational culture), and the policy level (reforming regulations and promoting decentralization). In conclusion, the genuine integration of ethics and good governance into educational administration is crucial for building public trust and leading the Thai education system toward achieving its ultimate goals sustainably.