Oracle of Wisdom Journal of Philosophy and Public Affairs

The increasing prevalence of ethical challenges in educational institutions has raised concerns about the adequacy of contemporary educational leadership frameworks in promoting morally responsible leadership and positive school culture. While existing leadership models have contributed to school administration and organisational effectiveness, they often emphasise managerial competence and institutional performance over the moral character of educational leaders. This paper evaluates St. Thomas Aquinas' virtue ethics and contemporary educational leadership frameworks and examines their implications for school culture in Nigeria. Using conceptual analysis and critical evaluation, the study examines Aquinas' conception of virtue, particularly the cardinal virtues of prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance, together with charity as the foundation of moral leadership, and evaluates the convergence and divergence between this framework and major educational leadership theories. The paper argues that while contemporary leadership theories provide practical administrative strategies, Aquinas' virtue ethics supplies the moral foundation necessary for ethical decision-making and sustainable school improvement. It concludes that integrating virtue ethics with educational leadership frameworks can strengthen school culture by promoting integrity, accountability, justice, and the common good, and recommends that leadership preparation programmes and educational policies intentionally incorporate virtue-based leadership principles.

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