Implementation and management of code of conduct in addressing service delivery, in the Eastern Cape department of basic education

The study seeks to assess and examine the management and implementation of the code of conduct by the Eastern Cape Department of Basic Education in addressing service delivery in the Province. The reason for the Researcher to undertake the study is influenced among others by poor of service delivery, maladministration and corruption reported in this department through media, newspapers, Auditor General (AG) Reports and Portfolio Committee on Basic Education Eastern Cape Legislature which act as the oversight mechanism for this department. Literature review was conducted as a secondary source of information and primary information was conducted through sample of 30 respondents which were selected by the Researcher. The respondents were from the most key units of the department of Education Eastern Cape, which are stated in chapter one of the study. The study followed qualitative research approach which included semi-structured questionnaire, observation and document analysis. The findings of the study indicate lack of management and implementation of the code of conduct by the department. They clearly shows, lack of awareness and understanding of the code itself by the general staff members, lack of discipline, poor employee attitude, and unwillingness to improve service delivery and corruption in the department systems. The findings of the study expose lack of understanding of the code of conduct by the civil servants in the Department of Education, Eastern Cape. This can be attributed to lack of induction, orientation and training, in order to understand the importance of the code of conduct. Document analysis revealed that, there was lack of adherence and observation of the department’s established policies, rules, regulations, procedures and flouting of supply chain management processes and corruption in the system which is tantamount to violation of the DPSA code of conduct. These factors all contributed to this department’s failure in achieving clean audit outcomes from the AG during the last term. Department of Basic Education, Eastern Cape Province, received qualified and adverse audit reports between 2009 and 2014 financial years. The study recommends trainings of the department of education officials in the DPSA code of conduct. More vigorous on going ethical training is very crucial in the attempt to promote ethical behaviour, to root out corruption, under performance and vi maladministration activities experienced in this department so as to fast track service delivery to the people of the Province, in the following terms of Government administration going forward