The Code of

Ethics for
Professional
Teachers in Their
Dual Role as
Educator and
 Code of Ethics for Professional
Teachers adopted and promulgated
by the Board for Professional
Teachers through Board Resolution
No. 435, series of 1997, pursuant to
the provisions of paragraph (e),
Article II of RA No. 7836, otherwise
known as the “Philippine Teachers
Professionalization Act of 1994”
TEACHERS AS PROFESSIONALS

Duly licensed professionals who

possess dignity and reputation with
high moral values as well as
technical and professional
competence. In the practice of their
noble profession, they strictly adhere
to observe, and practice this set of
ethical and moral principles, standard
and values. (Preamble, Code of Ethics for
Professional Teachers)
The Philippine constitution provides
that all educational institutions shall
offer quality education for all Filipino
citizens, a vision that requires
professionally competent teachers
committed to its full realization. The
provisions of this code shall apply,
therefore to all teachers in all
schools in the Philippines.
Section 1- Code of Ethics
Every teacher or school shall
actively help carry out the
declared policies of the state,
and shall take an oath to this
effect.

Section 2 – Code of Ethics

 VIOLATION OF CODE OF ETHICS
FOR PROFESSIONAL TEACHERS

Article XII, Section 1--

“Any violation x x x
shall be sufficient
ground for the x x x
revocation of x x x
license x x x”
 “Every teacher shall merit reasonable
social recognition for which purpose he shall
behave with honor and dignity at all times and
refrain from such activities as gambling,
smoking, drunkenness and other excesses,
much less illicit relations.”
(Code of Ethics, Article III, Section 3)

“A teacher shall place premium upon self-

respect and self-discipline as the principle of
personal behavior in all relationships with
others and in all situations.”
(Code of Ethics, Article XI, Section 2)
 “A teacher shall maintain at all times a
dignified personality which could serve as
model worthy of emulation by learners,
peers, and others.”
(Code of Ethics, Article XI, Section 3)
Joseph Santos vs. NLRC, Hagonoy Institute, Inc.
“As teacher, (one) serves as an example to
his/her pupils xxx.
Consequently xxx teachers must adhere to the
exacting standards of morality and decency. xxx
A teacher both in his official and personal
conduct must display exemplary behavior.”
He must freely and willingly accept
restrictions on his conduct that might be viewed
irksome xxx the personal behavior of teachers, IN
AND OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM, must be
beyond reproach xxx they must observe a high
standard of integrity and honesty.”
TO ACT WITH HONOR:
To strictly honor contractual obligation
with the School

Art. VI, Sec. 6, Code of Ethics:

“A teacher who accepts a
position assumes a contractual
obligation to live up to his contract,
assuming full knowledge of the
employment terms and
conditions.”
 DUTY OF TEACHERS
(Based on Law)
As an EDUCATOR

1987 Constitution states:

“x x x The State shall protect
and promote the right of all citizens
to quality education at all levels
and shall take appropriate steps to
make such education accessible
to all.”
(Article XIV, Section 1)
As a PARENT

Article 218 of the Family Code provides—

“The school, its administrators and
teachers, x x x engaged in child care shall
have special parental authority and
responsibility over the minor child while
under their supervision, instruction or
custody.”
Article 219 of the Family Code provides—
“Those given the authority and
responsibility under (Article 218) shall
principally and solidarily liable for
damages caused by acts or omissions of
the unemancipated minor.”
 Principal Duty or Obligation is To
Ensure “Quality Education”
What is QUALITY EDUCATION?
“x x x making sure that basic education
is really solid, because if it is not solid, it
affects the quality of secondary education.
If secondary education is poor, then the
person goes to college unprepared for
college work. And if he is allowed to
graduate again with a poor quality college
education, he goes to university
professional education even more
unprepared.”
- Rev. Fr. Joaquin Bernas, SJ
In short—
“A school, before promoting or
graduating a student, must be sure
that he/she (the student) is
functionally literate to go through
next higher level.”
To ensure Quality Education:

1) Must be COMPETENT and EFFICIENT

Code of Ethics for Professional Teachers,
Article IV, Section 2—
“Every teacher shall uphold the
highest possible standards of
quality education, shall make the
best preparation for the career of
teaching, and shall be at his best at
all times in the practice of his
profession.”
BP 232 (Education Act of 1982), Section 16 (2)
provides—
“The teacher shall xxx be accountable
for efficient and effective attainment of
specified learning objectives xxx.”

Code of Ethics further mandates that—

“Every teacher shall participate in the
continuing professional education (CPE)
program of the PRC, and shall pursue such
other studies as will improve his efficiency,
enhance the prestige of the profession, and
strengthen his competence, virtue and
productivity in order to be nationally and
internationally competitive.”
(Article IV, Section 3)
 “A teacher shall ensure
that conditions contributive
to the maximum
development of learners
are adequate and shall
extend assistance in
preventing or solving
learners’ problems and
difficulties.”
(Article IV, Section 3)
In short—
A teacher is expected to be efficient and
competent in the performance of his academic
duties at all times.
Otherwise,
A teacher who has consistently shows his
inability to efficiently perform his duties and
responsibilities, within a common performance
standards should not be allowed to stay in school
xxx.
The MRPS provides as just cause of
terminating a faculty—
“Gross inefficiency and incompetence in the
performance of his duties xxx.”
(Section 3 (a))
Hence, the SC held in Evelyn Peña vs. NLRC
that—

“x x x schools can set

high standards of
efficiency for its
teachers since quality
education is a mandate
of the Constitution xxx
security of tenure xxx
cannot be used to shield
incompetence.”
2) Must EVALUATE LEARNERS
(i) Duty to give grades/evaluation
Section 16(3) of BP 232, TEACHER
SHALL—
“Render regular reports on
performance of each student and to the
latter and to the latter’s parents and
guardians with specific suggestions for
improvement.”
and...
Must promptly render or give
grades. Otherwise, the unjustified or
unreasonable delay in giving grades
constitutes gross neglect of duty.
In the case of University of the East vs. Romeo A.
Jader, the SC declared—
“It is the contractual obligation of the
school (through the teachers) to TIMELY
INFORM AND FURNISH sufficient notice and
information to each and every student as to
whether he/she had already complied with
all the requirements xxx.”
“The negligent act of a teacher who fails
to observe the rules of the school, for
instance, by not promptly submitting a
student’s grade is not only imputable to the
teacher but is an act of the school being
his/her employer xxx.”
In evaluating/giving grades the following
rules of conduct must be observed—
Code of Ethics provides—
“A teacher has the duty to determine
the academic marks and the promotion of
learners in the subject they handle. Such
determination shall be in accordance with
generally accepted procedure of
evaluation and measurement on case of
any complaint, teachers concerned shall
immediately take appropriate action,
observing the process.”
(Article VIII, Section 1)
 “Under no circumstances shall a
teacher be prejudiced nor discriminatory
against any learner.”
(Article VIII, Section 3)

“A teacher shall not accept favors or

gifts from learners, their parents or others
in their behalf in exchange for requested
concessions, especially if undeserved.”
(Article VIII, Section 4)

“A teacher shall base the evaluation of

the learner’s work on merit and quality of
academic performance.”
(Article VIII, Section 6)
(i) In computing the grades
Section 16 (5) of BP 232 mandates
that a teacher shall—
“Refrain from making deductions or
additions in student’s scholastic ratings for
acts that are clearly not manifestations of xxx
scholarship.”
Hence, Section 79 of the MRPS—
“Basis for Grading. – The xxx grade or
rating xxx in a student should be based
SOLELY on his scholastic performance. Any
addition or diminution to the grade in a
subject for co-curricular activities, attendance,
or misconduct shall NOT be allowed xxx.”
Code of Ethics provides—
“A teacher shall not xxx make deductions
from their scholastic ratings as a punishment
for acts which are clearly not manifestations of
poor scholarship.”
(Article VIII, Section 8)

Thus, it is not a matter of discretion on the part

of the teachers in the giving of the students’
grades, but rather it is a clear obligation for the
teachers to determine student academic marks
solely based on scholastic performance. For a
teacher to do otherwise, would be serious
academic malpractice or grave misconduct in
the performance of his/her duties.
In Padilla vs. NLRC, SBC the Supreme Court
said—

“This Court is convinced that the

pressure and influence exerted by (a
teacher) on his colleague to change a
failing grade to passing one xxx
constitute serious misconduct which
is a valid ground for dismissing an
employee.”
B. As a PARENT: Principal Duty to Exercise
Parental Authority and Responsibility

Article 218, Family Code provides—

“The school, its administrators and
teachers xxx engaged in child care
shall have special parental authority
and responsibility over the minor
child while under their supervision,
instruction or custody.”
Code of Ethics states—
“A teacher shall recognize that
the interest and welfare of learners
are his first and foremost concern,
and shall handle each learner justly
and impartially.”
(Article VII, Section 2)
Parental Authority to Discipline

“As parents, the teachers shall use

discipline not to punish but to correct,
not to force, but to motivate; and not to
obey with rigid cadence, but to choose
to follow the right way.
Hence, teachers cannot generally
use methods of punishing or such
degree of penalties that a good mother
or a good father would not likely use on
her/his own children.”
Corporal Punishment - Article 233 (2nd par.)

“In no case x x x inflict corporal

punishment upon the child.”

Definition: An act that inflict pain or

harm upon a child’s body as punishment
for wrong doing usually through beating
and spanking
Elements:
(a) physical contact
(b) to inflict pain
 VIII,8. A teacher shall
not inflict corporal
punishment on
offending learners nor
make deductions from
their scholastic ratings
as a punishment for
acts which are clearly
not manifestations of
poor scholarship.
Sale of Tickets; Collection of Contribution/
Donations from Pupils / Parents
BP 232, Sec. 9 (9) - students have right to be free from (voluntary) involuntary
contributions

 Improper or unauthorized
solicitation of contributions from
subordinate employees and by
teachers or school officials from
school children

 VIII, 5. A teacher shall not accept,

directly or indirectly, any remuneration
from tutorials other than what is
authorized for such service.
Anita Y. Salvarria vs. Letran College, et al.
(296 SCRA 184)
The Supreme Court declared--
“Petitioner contended that her
dismissal was arbitrarily xxx, having
been effected without just cause, on
the premise that the solicitation of
funds xxx was initiated by the
students and that her participation
was merely limited to approving the
same. xxx”
 If there is one person more
knowledgeable of xxx policy against
illegal exactions from students, it
would be xxx Salavarria.
Hence, regardless of who initiated
the collections, the fact that the
same was approved or indorsed by
petitioner, made her ‘in effect the
author of the project.’”
 “xxx (Department of Education)
considers the act of teachers in xxx
contracting loans from parents of their
students xxx not only serious
misconduct but xxx violation of
students’ right to be free from
involuntary contribution xxx.”

- USEC Nachura, 13 Feb. ‘98

Parental Responsibility

The student / pupil while in school,

is in the custody and hence, the
responsibility of the school authorities
as long as he is under the control and
influence of the school,
whether the semester
has not yet begun
or has already ended.
In Amadora vs. CA, the Supreme Court said--

Even if the student is just relaxing

in the campus in the company of his
classmates, x x x the student is still
within the custody and subject to the
discipline and responsibility of the
teachers x x x.
Hence--
A teacher required to exercise
special parental authority but who
fails to observe all the diligence of
a good father of a family in the
custody and care of the pupils and
students, shall be held liable for
gross neglect of duty.
 Are college
teachers/faculty still
obliged to exercise
parental responsibility
over college students
who are presumed to
be of legal age already?
In Palisoc vs. Brillantes, JBL Reyes, said--
“x x x while in the case of parents and
guardians, their authority and supervision
over the children and wards end by law upon
the latter reaching majority age, the authority
and custodial supervision over pupils exist
regardless of the age of the latter. As a
student over twenty-one, by enrolling and
attending a school, places himself under the
custodial supervision and disciplinary
authority of the school authorities, which is
the basis of the latter’s correlative
responsibility for his torts, committed while
under such authority.
Of course, the teachers’ control is not as
plenary as when the student is a minor; but
that circumstance can only affect the
degree of responsibility but cannot negate
the existence thereof. It is only a factor to
be appreciated in determining whether or
not the defendant has exercised due
diligence in endeavoring to prevent the
injury. x x x.”
THE TEACHER AND
THE TEACHING
COMMUNITY
Teachers shall, at all times, imbued
with the spirit of professional loyalty,
mutual confidence, and faith in one
another, self-sacrifice for the common
good, and full cooperation with
colleagues . When the best interest of
the learners, the school, or the
profession is at stake in any
controversy, teachers shall support
one another.
Article 5- Section 1 – Code of Ethics
A teacher is not entitled to claim
for work not of his own, and shall
give the due credit for the work of
others which he may use.

Article 5- Section 2 – Code of Ethics

Before leaving his position, a
teacher shall organize and leave
to his successor such records
and other data as necessary to
carry on the work.

Article 5- Section 3 – Code of Ethics

A teacher shall hold inviolate all
confidential information
concerning associates and the
school, and shall not divulge to
anyone documents which have
not yet been officially released ,
or remove records from the files
without official permissions.
Article 5- Section 4 – Code of Ethics
It shall be the responsibility of every
teacher to seek correctives for what
may appear to be unprofessional
and unethical conduct of any
associate. This may be done only if
there is incontrovertible evidence for
such conduct.

Article 5- Section 5 – Code of Ethics

A teacher may submit to the proper
authorities any justifiable criticism
against an associate, preferably in
writing, without violating any right
of the individual concerned.

Article 5- Section 6 – Code of Ethics

A teacher may apply for a vacant
position for which he is qualified,
provided that he respects the
system of selection on the basis of
merit and competence , provided,
further that all qualified candidates
are given the opportunity to be
considered.
Article 5- Section 7 – Code of Ethics
Query:

Is GRAVE MISCONDUCT committed

by School Personnel outside the school
campus and beyond school hours a valid
ground or just cause for termination?
 Meaning of Grave Misconduct

Which is—
• The willful, improper behavior,
and implies wrongful intent and
NOT mere error of judgment

• Violation of an established and

definite rule of action
 Labor Jurisprudence

For GRAVE MISCONDUCT to be valid

and just cause for termination—

“xxx must be a DIRECT

RELATION to and
CONNECTED with
performance of official duties.”
As a rule—

MISCONDUCT outside workplace /

beyond working hours NOT a valid
ground to terminate employee
Is this applicable to school
personnel?
 Constitutional Duty

“All educational institutions xxx shall

teach the right and duties of citizenship,
strengthen ethical and spiritual values,
develop moral character and personal
discipline.

HENCE—
SC in case of Sison vs. Angeles (112 SCRA
26) declared–
“A college teacher xxx has a dual
responsibility to its students. One is
to provide opportunities for learning
and the other is to help them grow
and develop into mature, responsible,
effective and worthy citizens of the
community. Discipline is one of the
means to carry out the second
responsibility.”
How about Non-Academic
Personnel?
 Are Non-Academic Personnel also
obliged to discipline students?

ANSWER—

Section 74 of MRPS provides:

“Every private school shall
maintain good school discipline
xxx.”
 Hence—

All school personnel, Academic or

Non-Academic, have the duty to—
a) Teach discipline;
b) Prevent intended misconduct from
being committed; and
c) Report to authorities student’s
misconduct
 However, non-academic
personnel DOES NOT have authority
to impose sanctions/penalties for
Student Misconduct.

REASON—
 Section 75 of MRPS provides that
only “xxx School officials and
academic personnel shall have the
right to impose appropriate and
reasonable disciplinary measures in
cases of minor offenses or
infraction of good discipline
committed in their presence. xxx”
Every teacher shall actively help
ensure that teaching is the
noblest profession, and shall
manifest genuine enthusiasm
and pride in teaching as a noble
calling.

Article IV-Section 1- Code of Ethics

Every teacher shall use the
teaching profession in a manner
that makes it a dignified means
for earning a decent living.

Article IV – Section 5 – Code of Ethics

 “The Court takes this opportunity to
pay a sincere tribute to the school
teachers, who are always at the forefront
in the battle against illiteracy and
ignorance. If only because it is they who
open the minds of their pupils to an
unexplored world awash will the magic of
letters and numbers, which is an
extraordinary feat indeed, these humble
mentors deserve all our respect and
appreciation.”
Justice Isagani A. Cruz
Chiang Kai Shek School vs. CA
G.R. No. 58028, April 18, 1989
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