Group 4

Article VI- The Teacher and The Higher Authorities

As a group, come up with a 7-item TRUE or FALSE Test on Article VI of the Code
of Ethics, then this has to be shared by the group in the G-meeting.

PREPARATON:

1. Teacher Kenney is a young and personable teacher in a school in a coastal

area. She teaches Science to Grade 5 students who have difficulty reading the
Science textbook in English language and comprehending the basic concepts. To
solve this problem, Teacher Kenney decided to hold her class by the shore on
Saturday, even without asking permission to the school's principal. She was not
violating any code of professional conduct for teachers. After all, her class
enjoyed the change and were very participative since the class was conducted in
the dialect. Teacher Kenney was just providing adequate learning condition as
sited in the Section 9 of Article VIII of Code of Professional Conduct for
Teachers*, and allowing her class to facilitate learning outside of the school’s
premises as stipulated in the aforementioned code of conduct.

*Code of Professional Conduct for Teachers wherein Article VIII Section 9

states, "A teacher shall ensure that conditions contribute to the maximum
development of learners are adequate, and shall extend needed assistance in
preventing or solving learner’s problems and difficulties."

Answer: FALSE. If Teacher Kenney didn’t do the proper way to ask permission to
the authority then she’ll be violating Section 1 Code of Professional Conduct for
Teachers, wherein Article VI: The Teacher and Higher Authorities in the
Profession Section 1 states: Every teacher shall make it his duty to make an
honest effort to understand and support the legitimate policies of the school
and the administration regardless of personal feeling or private opinion and
shall faithfully carry them out.

As long as she aligned her actions with regards to the school’s policy that allows
teaching outside of the school’s premises then she didn’t commit any violation.
She should complete all necessary steps to allow her actions on the proper
channeling by asking permission to the school’s principal or the authorized
persons allowing them to do such activity. Consultations with student’s parents
will help her to have the support for their children’s learning progress.

Using the local language, it is also should be aligned with the school’s policy on
using mediums of teaching. Further consultations with the matter shall increase
the open communication of both parties that will be beneficial for the student’s
learning progress.

- Lanie G. Sta. Ana

2. SECTION 2       Mr. Cruz, an English teacher in ABC school goes wearing a

jeans that has a lot of holes and a shirt that has a printed text which is very
scandalous. So was called by the Principal and asked to submit an explanation
letter but until he doesn’t comply he is not allowed to teach. As a professional
teacher, it is right to express refusal to follow the school dress code.

Answer: FALSE. Section 2. School officials, teachers, and other school personnel
shall consider it their cooperative responsibility to formulate policies or
introduce important changes in the system at all levels.

- May Langit

3. Public school teachers under the Alliance of Concerned Teachers-

Philippines (ACT) held their third sit-down strike to call for an immediate salary
increase and higher allowances. On Nov. 29, more than 300 schools in 12 cities
of Metro Manila participated in the sit-down strike amid threats of
administrative cases. Several schools in the provinces also participated in the
sit-down strike such as in Tarlac City, Butuan City and the Bicol region. Solidarity
actions such as wearing black shirt/armband, tarpaulin hanging, candle lighting
and other forms of protest were also held in schools at Bulacan, Nueva Ecija,
Davao region, Cagayan de Oro, and Socksargen. In a sit-down strike, public
school teachers did not leave the classroom and setup a picket line outside their
schools. They stopped teaching regular lessons and instead, educated students
about the public-school teachers’ condition and why they are demanding for
salary increase. They also carried with them signs calling for salary increase
while sitting down in classrooms. The teachers did not violate any rule on code
of conduct and ethical standards for teachers in the Philippines.

Answer: TRUE. Based on Article VI Section 4 of the Code of ethics for

professional teacher, “Every teacher, individually or as part of a group, has a
right to seek redress against injustice to the administration and to extent
possible, shall raise grievances within acceptable democratic possesses. In doing
so. they shall avoid jeopardizing the interest and the welfare of learners whose
right to learn must be respected”. However, in the scenario were the teacher’s
doing their way of protest they did not violate the article 4 of Section VI, since
the teacher did not stopped their teaching activities for the sake of their protest
to the current administration, it was clearly stated on the fact that even they
stopped teaching regular lessons they instead, educated students about the
public-school teachers’ condition and why they are demanding for salary
increase.

- Aris Javier Camacho

4. In the implementation of the RPMS, many complaints were heard. Some

said it is not necessary, some said it is just another burden to be carried by
teachers, and worst many have questioned what RPMS is. One of them is Mrs.
Reyes. She has a negative opinion about it and still does not see the need of it.
But as a professional, she still obeys and candidly carry out policies of the
school. Because of this, she did not violate any rule in the Code of Professional
Teachers.

Answer: TRUE. As per Section 1 of Article VI in the Code of Professional

Teachers, every teacher shall make it his duties to make an honest effort to
understand and support the legitimate policies of the school and the
administration regardless of personal feeling or private opinion and shall
faithfully carry them out. They are in one institution and no other group of
professionals will understand first its workplace policies except them.

5. Traditionally, a civic parade is held with school participating during

Independence Day. All teachers and students are required to attend. All of Mrs.
San Jose’s students are excited to join the said parade but she did not allow
them to join due to personal reason. She asked the president of the class to
check the attendance of his classmates. The decision of Mrs. San Jose was
reasonable and acceptable.

Answer: FALSE. As per Section 4 of Article VI, every teacher shall avoid
jeopardizing the interest and the welfare of learners whose right to learn must
be respected. Any teacher should not leave their post or be absent for any
reason without informing their immediate superior. The priority is learners’
welfare. In any case that untoward incidents happened, the liability goes to the
absent teacher particularly if superior was not informed of the absence.

- Ella Dasco

6. Ms. Hannah is a ninth grade English teacher. She gives the class directions
for a writing assignment that is to be completed by the end of the period. Josh
isn't paying attention and missed directions. He frequently bothers his
classmates by humming, tapping his pen, reminding them of the rules or
speaking out of turn. He asks for the directions to be repeated. The other
students in the class begin to make fun of Josh and ridicule him for not paying
attention. Once again Ms. Hannah feeling frustrated because she is asked to
repeat the instructions once again, continues passing out materials and ignores
Josh and the other students. This situation became a violation of the law, the
"Code" or other school/district policies.

Answer: TRUE. Consider the following sections of the Code of Professional

Responsibility for teachers Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies Section
10-145d-400a. The "Code" clearly describes the professional educators
obligation to students. Specifically, teachers must "recognize, respect and
uphold the dignity and worth of students as individual human beings." Teachers
are obligated to deal justify and considerately with all students. Legislation
speaks specifically to the repeated use by one or more students of a written,oral
or electronic communication, such as cyber bullying,directed or referring to
another student attending school in the same school district." If Ms. Hannah
consistently allows other students to ve disrespectful in this manner, she can be
cited to be in violation of the Connecticut statute. School districts develop
policies to comply with legislation and the Code of Professional Responsibility
for Educators. Teachers who are found to be out of compliance can be subject to
written reprimand or dismissal.

- Precious Joy Manrique

7. A conference meeting was held by a large organization of public school

teachers threatened to walk out of school and protest about low pay and
allowances. The chairperson said that the group will hold a series of protest
actions nationwide. They have gathered signatures to demand a wage increase.
The teacher will not teach. They will go outside of their schools, while some will
stay at the quadrangle during their work hours. It is right for the teachers
to strike in this situation.
Answer: FALSE. While it is true that teachers are allowed to seek redress against
injustice to the administration, they shall however, avoid jeopardizing the
interest and welfare of the learners whose right to learn must be respected.
According to the Code of Ethics for Professional Teachers, Article VI section 4.
Participation in organization activities are allowed outside school hours or with
consent from the school authorities if within school hrs. (RA 4670 sec. 28b).

If the participation is done during school hours, a return to work order or

memorandum may be issued by our school head to remind us of the possible
consequences of joining the mass action.

- Cecil Moreno