Task 1

Professional ethics is becoming the need of the hour. Many teachers are facing lack
of professional ethics, besides having ample of degrees, achievements, medals, extra
qualifications and content knowledge. Since, teaching is not just about imparting the content
and subject-matter, it is just beyond that. Teacher has a wider role in the educational course
of action; they should give stress in bringing out the potentialities from the learners and
nurture it accordingly (Boon, 2011). The teaching is regarded as a noble and righteous
profession, since it contributes in nation building by creating good quality human resources,
responsible citizens, socialized individuals and creative personalities. Hence, this profession
requires a lot of commitment, dedication and sincerity towards their institution and learners.
So, if we do not have the knowledge of professional ethics, it will become a barrier in the
development of institution, learners, society and nation as a whole (Campbell, 2006). It will
undeniably affect the overall performance of the students.

A Professional code of ethics is a guiding principle aimed to assist professionals

conduct work with commitment, dedication, sincerity, honesty and with integrity (Fareo,
2013). A professional should follow the specific principles of their profession and do their
duties as per the requirements of the profession (Dodds, 2001). The professional ethics
deals with the principles and values that the professional should implement to create a
conducive atmosphere in the workplace. Professional knowledge and skills is a key element
that every professional should acquire to do their services with determination and
commitment (Connell, 2009). Every profession has its main aims and objectives. To fulfil
those aims and objectives, the professional should follow the professional code of ethics.
Professional ethics provides the assistance to the professionals in order to do their work
meaningfully.

The professional code of ethics for teachers in Malaysia is purposely designed to

protect the rights of the students (Quah, 2014). It becomes crucial and important for the
teachers to understand their work ethics and values before entering in teaching profession.
As a teacher, we have a huge role to play in the entire teaching learning process. Therefore,
teachers’ code of ethics plays a pivotal role in developing the personality and behaviour of
the teachers.

However, there are still some teachers who are not practicing code of ethics. Based
on the news that been circulate or viral in the Internet “Kes Murid Tadika Dakwa Guru
Stapler telinga”, it is quite sad that this issue happened in Malaysia. The teacher’s behaviour
was completely inappropriate and should not be done to the student. First of all it was
against Code of Ethics. Next it was also considered wrong under the Malaysian law (Penal
code SECTION 324). Penal code 324 means voluntarily causing bodily pain by weapons
(Silvester, 2020). The action of the teacher was totally against the law. How the teacher
could hurt the four years old child. The teacher should take a perfect solution instead of
hurting the child. It seems the teacher forgot to follow the code of teachers’ ethics. The
teacher should not humiliate or hurt the pupil without any reasons. Even if the teacher has
reason, she still do not allowed to hurt the child.

One of the ethics outlined for teachers is responsibility towards pupils. Teachers
must interact with pupils appropriately, not taking advantage of students in any way,
bullying students or putting them down. In addition to a teacher's job to help all students
learn, a professional code of ethics also addresses a teacher's responsibility to keep
students safe (Evans, 2008). However, this kindergarten teacher has violates the law and
code of ethics by abusing the pupil. As teachers, we must follow safety procedures to
ensure student safety. It's also a teacher's responsibility to report instances of bullying
and harassment. If teachers themselves abuse the pupils, then who will ensure the
pupils’ safety. Thus, it is significant for the teachers to adhere the rules and laws. Apart
from that, it is teachers responsibility if they suspects cases of abuse or neglect, or a
student confides in a teacher in cases of abuse or neglect, the teacher is required to
report it to the proper authorities, even if the student requests otherwise ( Cigman,2000).

Let’s say for example, that we have a teacher who scolds a child for a negative
behaviour, without allowing the child to explain themselves nor giving them a chance to
change that negative behaviour. We are left with a child who may believe that they cannot
do anything, and may eventually not care how they behave ( Fenwick, 2008). They may
look at the situation as, “if my teacher doesn’t care about me, why should I care?” Children
with constant negative behaviour may not care to begin with, but good pupils will be made to
suffer. They may withdraw, feel less confident, and their grades may reflect their
unhappiness. So, in reality what’s happening is, the teacher might be receiving a negative
action as a direct result of his or her negative action. This method does not prepare an
atmosphere that is conducive to learning. There are also those teachers who feel the need
to humiliate their pupils in order to make them stop their bad behaviour, or to punish them.
By doing so, teachers are neglecting their responsibilities towards students.

The teachers should always be aware of their roles and responsibilities ( Glegg,
2003).They should actively provide their service to school and student with happiness and
satisfaction. They should provide maximum opportunities to students to excel in diverse
aspects of development. Active professionalism is required in teaching profession. They
cannot remain inactive or passive in the educational process. That is their fundamental duty
for which we are being employed with expectations to serve the school and students. In
order to do that teacher should always avoid discouraging the pupils ( Hydon, 2007). The
kindergarten teacher portrayed passive professionalism because she ignored her duty as a
teacher to serve the pupils. Her action brought bad names to the whole teachers’
communities where others look down on the teachers.

Besides, the absence of professional ethics in teachers will impact the development
of students. The teachers should be the role model, inspiration, motivator and leader for the
students. It is a fact that the students follow the footsteps of their teachers directly or
indirectly (Higgins, 2003). The teacher should possess a good behaviour and positive
attitude towards their profession and students. The fundamental role of the teacher is to
solve the problems, issues and barriers of students that come along in their developmental
process. The teachers must have a clear cut vision to foster the potentialities of the students.
However, many of teachers in practical situations face the problem of adjustment with
students. They cannot be a good role model for the students because the teachers do not
understand the needs and expectations of the students. failure to understand students’
needs can brought to disciplinary issues among teachers.

Therefore, the most important quality that the teacher should posses is the
professional ethics. If they fails to understand and implement it, then they might not be
satisfied with their profession and plus it will hamper the performance of students. They also
deserved to get the consequences unless they do not follow it. Hence, to make character
education successful, we need well-trained teachers. Again, teachers are role models.
Teachers play important role in children's character formation. Teachers provide children
with a basic but essential moral education. So, teachers should focus on providing the right
path and guidance to students to make them well behaved individuals, and inculcate good
attitude within them (Benninga, 2003).Therefore, the teacher must inculcate the fundamental
professional ethics and values within them before entering into teaching profession.
References

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Boon, H. J. (2011). Raising the bar: ethics education for quality teachers. Australian Journal
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