Abstract
Education is crucial to shaping attitudes, values, and moral conduct essential for
compassionate and responsible societies. The professionalism of teachers must be
emphasised in attaining equitable human flourishing, avoiding a focus solely on personal
happiness and attaining sustainable and regenerative futures. Thus, our study explores
the factors contributing to teachers engaging in unprofessional behaviour. Also, we
examine the role of leadership in shaping teachers’ professional conduct, and its
implications for equitable student flourishing beyond the 21st century. Strategies that can
be implemented to address teachers’ unprofessional behaviour effectively are identified.
An exploratory research design was adopted to understand the phenomenon in a sample
of two Nigerian schools. To choose study participants, purposive and snowball sampling
approaches were applied. Data obtained through interviews were transcribed and
thematically analysed using the atlas.ti software package. Results indicate that
absenteeism, battery, yelling, discrimination, breaking school rules, and improper or
immoral dressing, among others, are unprofessional behaviours among teachers. We
recommend that the school leader must be a role model, adequately monitor staff, offer
financial and moral support, and provide training and emotional platforms, for
effectiveness.