Chapter 1

THE PROBLEM

Background of the Study

If there is a profession that should remain pure and

preserved, free form corruption, it should be the teaching

profession. What would happen to the generation and the next

generation if the teachers who shape society do not live the life and

character worthy of emulation? The Preamble of the Code of Ethics

for Professional Teachers (1997) defines teachers as duly licensed

professionals who possess dignity and reputation with high moral

values as well as technical and professional competence. Article XI,

Section 3 of the code provides that teachers are expected to

maintain at all times a dignified personality which could serve as a

model worthy of emulation to learners, peers and all others.

The teachers, being the most important factor that influence

the whole enterprise of teaching is bound to follow society`s time

honored values and traditions that transcend those of the run-of-

the mill professions. How they teach depends to a large extent on

which they are (Salandanan, 2005). Pupils idolize teachers; they

believe the things that the teacher says, especially if the teacher is

good, approachable, and know the things that the learners` need.
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As a teacher, he/she is also a good example to others so he/she

must be in his best all the time. Knows and master the lesson,

interested in the welfare of his learners, show good behavior and

teach good manners and good attitudes. Give also good judgments.

Consequently, the Professional Regulation Commission and

the Board for Professional Teachers promulgate the Code of Ethics

for Professional Teachers pursuant to the Professionalization Act of

1994 of the Philippines teachers. Clark (2004) wrote the teachers`

work covers many things: ethics is one of them.

For teachers, ethics is more than just a code of ethics which

does no more than codify a set of principles and rules which serve

aspiration and/or disciplinary purpose. Teachers, as professionals,

are engaged in one of the most ethically demanding jobs, the

education of young people, thus, teachers and constant reflect on

the ethics of their activities to ensure that in their work they

exhibit the ethical example possible to those they are morally

educating. Teachers are the most important element in producing

quality education, thus they are expected to abide by the

professional code of ethics.

The function of the code of ethics is to assist in achieving a

true professional standing for members of a group by building up

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integrity around specified standards. The main reason for having

formulated code is to affect discipline within the members of the

profession. Codes are means of protecting group members and

giving them a certain security both legally and in their relations

with other educators. Code of ethics provides the teacher with

guide posts in determining the conduct and giving him a certain

degree of legal and personal security.

Conceptual Framework

A professional teacher should be aware of the rules and

privileges embodied in the DepEd Code of Conduct and

Professional Ethics. Lack of awareness of rights and

responsibilities may cause the teacher to make mistakes that

would result to consequences to the teachers, such as dismissal or

lawsuit and to the school. Ignorance of the law excuses no one.

The National Association of State Directors of Teacher Educations

in the U.S. (n.d.) upholds that a professional educator is aware

that the trust in the profession depends upon a level of

professional conduct and responsibility that may be higher than

required by a law and this entails holding one and other educators

to the same standards. As such, the educator is held responsible

to sustain ethical conducts. Further, the professional educator

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demonstrates responsibility to oneself as ethical professional by

acknowledging that lack of awareness, knowledge or

understanding of the code is not, in itself, a defense to a charge of

unethical conduct.

As a model, a teacher`s life is regulated because the public

believes that they should be examples of high moral standards,

impeccable character, conservative dress and grooming, and

refined manners (San Mateo and Tangco, 2003). As a public

servant, the teacher should show a good example to society to

follow because they see a respected person. According to a school

head during a regular meeting, teachers are expected to report on

time and be in school 30 minutes before the actual time.

We should also consider the effect of the observance of

teachers on work and professional ethics of the teaching profession

to their stakeholders and society in general. Based on my own

observation, parents who see their teachers work for excellence

developed human capital for their schools. The stakeholders and

the community willingly help the school and the teachers develop.

Paradigm of the Study

The relationship of variables studied based from the

conceptual context is shown in figure 1. Work and professional

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Input Process Output

Work and Descriptive Strengthened

professional Method of Professionals
ethics of Research of Baguio
teachers in Central
Baguio Central Survey District
District
Questionnaire

Statistical
Treatment and
Analysis

Figure 1

Paradigm of the Study

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ethics of teachers in Baguio Central District. Moreover, the process

includes descriptive method of research, survey, questionnaire,

statistical statement, and analysis. Finally, the output variable is

strengthened professionals of Baguio Central District.

Statement of the Problem

This study aims to assess the Professional Conduct and

Work Ethics of Public Elementary School Teachers of Baguio

Central District, Division of Baguio City.

Specifically, this study sought answers to the following sub-

problems:

1. What is the extent of knowledge of teachers on the work and

professional ethics for the teaching profession?

2. What is the extent of compliance of the teachers on the work

and professional ethics of the teaching profession?

3. What is the extent of effect of the observance of teachers on the

work and professional ethics of the teaching profession to their

stakeholders and society in general?

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Null Hypotheses

The following hypotheses guided the researcher in the

conduct of the study:

1. The extent of knowledge of teachers on the work and

professional ethics for the teaching profession is moderate.

2. The extent of compliance of the teachers on the work and

professional ethics of the teaching profession is moderate.

3. The extent of effect of the observance of teachers on the work

and professional ethics of teachers in the exercise of their

profession is moderate.