Secondary school teachers' self-efficacy for moral and character education and its predictors: a Hong Kong perspective. Issue 1 (19th May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chi-Kin Lee, John; Wong, Koon-Lin; Kong, Raymond Ho-Man
• Is Part Of: Teachers and teaching. Volume 27:Issue 1/4(2021)
• Page Start: 32
• Page End: 47
• Publication Date: 2021-05-19
• Subjects: Teacher efficacy -- moral education -- character education -- teacher engagement -- teacher emotional labour; Teaching -- Periodicals; 371.005
• DOI: 10.1080/13540602.2021.1920907
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1354-0602

Abstract

ABSTRACT: At present, there is a growing concern about cultivating virtue among youngsters in Hong Kong. Although moral and character education have been put on the education agenda, it is important to ensure that teachers have sufficient efficacy in moral and character education. Unfortunately, limited empirical evidence for this has been found within the Hong Kong context. Using a sample of 647 moral and character education teachers from 21 secondary schools in Hong Kong, this study examined teacher self-efficacy and its relations with teacher engagement and teacher emotional labour. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to assess the construct validity of each scale. Structural equation modelling was used to test the theoretical model, indicating a good model fit. The strongest predictor of teacher efficacy for moral education was teachers' personal teaching efficacy. The findings are discussed with implications for future practice and research.