Class: Senior Secondary School 1 (SSS 1)
Term: 1st Term
Week: 7
Age: 15 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Cosmetology
Curriculum Theme: Entrepreneurship (Trade Subjects)
Previous Lesson: Cosmetology: Practical Identification of Cosmetic Items.
Topic: PROFESSIONAL ETHICS Meaning in Cosmetology
Subject Matter: meaning of professional ethics, ethics in cosmetology, importance of ethics

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

Cognitive Domain:

Define professional ethics.
State the meaning of ethics as it applies to cosmetology.
List at least three reasons for the importance of ethics in cosmetology.

Affective Domain:

Appreciate the necessity of ethical conduct in the cosmetology profession.
Show willingness to uphold ethical standards in their future practice.

Psychomotor Domain:

Identify ethical and unethical practices in cosmetology scenarios.
Formulate examples of ethical behavior in cosmetology.

Discuss with peers the impact of ethical practices on client trust.
Interact respectfully when discussing sensitive ethical issues.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

9 Years Basic Education Curriculum for Trade Subjects.
State Unified Scheme of Work for Senior Secondary Schools.
Akinwumi, A. (2018). Cosmetology for Senior Secondary Schools Book 1. Lagos: Learnwell Publishers.
https://nigeriancurriculum.com/cosmetology
https://education.gov.ng/schemes-of-work

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

Charts illustrating ethical principles.
Posters displaying professional conduct.
Whiteboard and markers.

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps pupils understand the moral principles and standards that guide behavior in the cosmetology profession. It enables pupils to recognize why acting with honesty, integrity, and responsibility is important for client trust and professional success in their chosen field.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils have a basic understanding of what a profession is and the general concept of good behavior in a work environment.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

PROFESSIONAL ETHICS IN COSMETOLOGY

Meaning of Professional Ethics

Professional ethics refers to a set of moral principles and standards that guide the behavior of individuals in a particular profession. It ensures that professionals act with honesty, integrity, and responsibility towards clients, colleagues, and the public.

Ethics in Cosmetology

In cosmetology, ethics involves the moral principles that guide cosmetologists in their interactions with clients, colleagues, and the wider community. It includes maintaining professionalism, client confidentiality, hygiene, and providing quality services.

The following are examples of ethical practices in cosmetology:

Maintaining client confidentiality and privacy.
Ensuring proper hygiene and sanitation in the salon.
Providing accurate and honest information about services and products.
Respecting client preferences, boundaries, and cultural backgrounds.
Engaging in continuous professional development to improve skills.
Avoiding discrimination based on appearance, race, or religion.
Charging fair and transparent prices for services.
Not performing services that are beyond one’s competence or license.

Importance of Ethics in Cosmetology

The following are reasons why ethics is important in cosmetology:

Builds client trust and fosters loyalty.
Enhances the professional reputation of the cosmetologist and the salon.
Ensures client safety, health, and well-being.
Promotes a positive and respectful working environment among colleagues.
Helps cosmetologists avoid legal issues, complaints, and professional sanctions.
Contributes to the overall credibility and respectability of the cosmetology profession.
Encourages high standards of service and professionalism.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Lecture, Demonstration, Question and Answer, Visual Aids

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Set Induction
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and asks them to recall what they understand by “good behavior” in school. The teacher then relates this to behavior in a workplace or profession, leading to the topic of professional ethics.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to the questions and share their ideas on good behavior.
Learning Point: Pupils are introduced to the concept of ethics in a professional context.

Step 2: Meaning of Professional Ethics

Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Definition
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the meaning of “professional ethics” using simple language and examples from various professions. The teacher defines it as the moral principles guiding professionals.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively and take notes. They may ask clarifying questions.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the general definition of professional ethics.

Step 3: Ethics in Cosmetology

Time: 10 minutes
Teaching Skill: Elaboration/Illustration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher specifically explains what ethics means in the context of cosmetology. The teacher presents examples of ethical practices in cosmetology using charts and posters, discussing each point.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the charts, listen to explanations, and identify ethical practices relevant to cosmetology.
Learning Point: Pupils grasp the specific application of ethics within the cosmetology profession.

Step 4: Discussion on Ethical Scenarios

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Critical Thinking/Engagement
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher presents short, simple scenarios (e.g., a client asking for a secret about another client, a client complaining about a service). The teacher asks pupils to discuss what an ethical cosmetologist would do in each situation.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils discuss the scenarios in pairs or small groups, sharing their views on appropriate ethical responses.
Learning Point: Pupils apply ethical principles to practical situations.

Step 5: Importance of Ethics in Cosmetology

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Listing/Justification
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains why professional ethics is important in cosmetology. The teacher lists and explains reasons such as building trust, ensuring safety, and maintaining reputation.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, take notes, and contribute additional points on why ethics is important.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the benefits and significance of upholding ethical standards.

Step 6: Recap and Summary

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Summarization
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher briefly summarizes the key points of the lesson, reinforcing the definitions and importance of professional ethics in cosmetology. The teacher ensures all pupils have clear notes.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils review their notes and ask any remaining questions for clarification.
Learning Point: Pupils consolidate their understanding of the lesson content.

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

Define professional ethics.
What does “ethics in cosmetology” mean?
List three examples of ethical practices in a salon.
State two reasons why ethics is important in cosmetology.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Closure
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher commends the pupils for their participation and reminds them that ethical conduct is fundamental to success in any profession, especially cosmetology. The teacher assigns homework: “Research and write down two examples of unethical practices in cosmetology and explain why they are unethical.”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils copy the homework assignment and prepare for the next lesson.
Learning Point: Pupils reflect on the lesson and receive further practice.

Lesson Keywords

Ethics – Moral principles that govern a person’s behavior or the conducting of an activity.
Professional – Relating to or belonging to a profession.
Cosmetology – The professional skill or practice of beautifying the face, hair, and skin.
Integrity – The quality of being honest and having strong moral principles.
Confidentiality – The state of keeping or being kept secret or private.

Differentiation

For pupils who grasp concepts quickly, the teacher can challenge them to analyze complex ethical dilemmas. For those needing more support, the teacher will provide simplified examples and additional guidance during discussions.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Emphasize practical examples and encourage pupils to share their own observations related to professional conduct. Ensure the discussion remains respectful and focused on learning.