CODE OF ETHICS FOR Group 17

TEACHERS. Dilshan Dias Wickramanayaka

Lahiru kedangamuwa
Navindu janitha deshapriya
Subtopics Tharindi

• Identifying a code
• Importance of code of ethics
• Major ethical issues
• Teacher responsibilities
• Code of ethics for teachers
• Major challenges to code success
• Identifying professionalism
• Characteristics of a profession
• Characteristics of professionalism
• Key attributes of professionalism
WHAT A CODE IS ?
A set of guidelines ,which details the set of recognized ethical norms (or values) and professional standards of
conduct to which all members of a profession must adhere. It includes core values (ethics) and standards of
conduct (behavior)
( guidelines for the design and effective use of teachers codes by muriel poission )
Why a code ?
To improve the ethics of the teaching profession.

Scope of a code
Standards for the behavior and professional practice of
teachers.

Code of ethics Code of conduct Standards of professional practice

A set of A more detailed set of standards for A set of standards, which apply to all
inspirational professional and personal conduct registered teachers,that articulate
goals based based on the values set in the code of what al teachers should be able to
around values. ethics. do.
• MAJOR VALUES WITHIN THE CODES

equity hospitality honesty

loyalty
patience peace
impartiality
dignity
trust
integrity

courage Teacher
politeness
commitment understanding

responsibility and caring

respect helpfulness

friendliness
fairness
• OBJECTIVES OF THE CODE OF ETHICS FOR TEACHERS
( IMPORTANCE OF THE CODE FOR TEACHERS )

1. Improve the ethics of the teaching profession

2. Improve regulation and control of teacher misconduct.
3. Protect students from unethical conduct of teachers
4. Promote a positive image of the teaching profession
5. Promote a feeling of professional identity among teachers.
6. Improve the quality of teaching profession
7. Emphasizing the social responsibility and public accountability of the
profession towards pupils, parents and beyond the classroom to the
community at large.
8. Enhancing the dedication,efficiency of service and professional commitment
of teachers.
 • MAJOR ETHICAL ISSUES
1. Offers private tutoring to students.
2. Takes advantage of personal relations
to be recruited/promoted/transferred
3. Absent without justification
4. Favors/disadvantages certain students
5. Give money/gifts to a civil servant to
be recruited/promoted/transferred
6. Disseminates confidential information
7. Presenting bogus
qualifications/diplomas
8. Diverts school funding
09. Uses harassment with a student
10. Steals school equipment
11. Have inappropriate relations with
a student
12. Goes to work under the influence
of alcohol (or drugs)
13. Collects illegal fees from students
14. Is physically violent with a
student
15. Use teacher unions to avoid
disciplinary sanctions.
TEACHER RESPONSIBILITIES
( STANDARDS OF PROFESSIONAL
CONDUCT )
Responsibilities towards students Responsibilities towards parents
• Shall respect the learner’s right and dignity and the community
without prejudice to gender, colour, age, race, • Shall conduct himself/herself in a
place of origin, language, sexual orientation, manner that does not show disrespect
socio-economic background, family status,
to the values, beliefs and customs of
religion, physical characteristics, disability, etc.
the parents, and to the broader
• Shall not intentionally distort or suppress community.
subject matter relevant to a pupil’s academic
programme. • Shall not accept gifts, favours or
hospitality that might impair his/her
• Shall not take advantage of his/her
judgment.
professional relationship with pupils for
private gain. • Shall respect parental rights of enquiry,
• Shall not favour or disadvantage certain
consultation, and information in the
students, in particular when marking scripts
best interests of their children.
Responsibilities towards colleagues
• Shall refrain from undermining the status
and authority of his/her colleagues.
• Shall not criticize the professional
competence or professional reputation of
a colleague, except in some duly specified
cases.
• Shall use appropriate language and
conduct in his/her interactions with
colleagues.
• Shall avoid any form of humiliation, and
refrain from any form of abuse.
• Shall not take, because of animosity or of
personal advantage, any steps to secure
the dismissal of another teacher
Responsibilities towards employer
• Shall be truthful when making
statements about his/her qualifications
and credentials.
• Shall refrain from discussing confidential
and official matters with unauthorized
persons.
• Shall not be absent without justification.
• Shall honour teaching as their main
occupation.
• Shall not delegate their teaching duties
to any person who is not a teacher.
• Shall not go to work under the influence
of alcohol or drugs.
Responsibilities towards the profession

• Shall act in a manner that upholds the honour and dignity

of the profession.
• Shall constantly and consistently strive to achieve and
maintain the highest degree of professional competence.
• Shall ensure that his/her professional knowledge is
regularly updated and improved.
• Shall assist in the professional growth of colleagues
through the sharing of ideas and information.
CODE OF ETHICS FOR TEACHERS.
• Act with honesty, integrity, and fairness.
• Maintain the trust in the profession.
• Work and maintain relationship with all stakeholders on trust and respect.
• Maintain professional relationship with students. Maintain professional boundaries
with students inside and outside the school.
• Respect the uniqueness and diversity of students.
• Maintain regular attendance and punctuality.
• Maintain the confidentiality with student affairs and school matters.
• Work in a collaborative manner with colleagues, parents, community and all
stakeholders.
• Maintain a safe and healthy environment.
• Keep the professional knowledge up to date. Continuously develop to meet the
requirement of the profession. Continuous Professional Development (CPD).
MAJOR CHALLENGES TO CODE SUCCESS

• Absence of training.
• Low capacity to enforce the codes.
• Little knowledge (lack of understanding).
• No record of unethical practice.
• Few professional bodies.
• No monitoring procedure.
• Lack of appropriate learning materials.
• Government involvement.
• Lack of time and discussion opportunities.
PROFESSIONALISM
• Professionalism is "the conduct, aims, or qualities that characterize or
mark a profession or a professional person;" and it defines a profession as
"a calling requiring specialized knowledge and often long and intensive
academic preparation.“

What is a profession ?
• A profession is a field of work or occupation that requires specialized knowledge,
training, education, and often a code of ethics or conduct. Professionals in a particular
field are typically bound by these standards and are expected to provide their services
with a high level of expertise, integrity, and responsibility.
CHARACTERISTICS OF
PROFESSIONALISM
• Approachable Competent
• Trustworthy • Image

• Respectful • Dependable

• Cooperative • Integrity
Professionalism • Courteous
• Supportive
• Communicating • Considerate
information • Team work
• Accountable • Empathetic
• Committed • Adaptability
• Humble • Time management
PROFESSIONALISM IN TEACHING
• Professionalism is an attitude of mind that causes a teacher to strive, on the basis of
an agreed code of behaviour, for excellence in the performance of his/her teaching
duties. It includes professional ethics. ( vanuatu institute of teacher education )

By Whitton et al 2004.
Key attributes of a professional teacher ( effective teaching )
• Being a professional teacher means putting your students’ learning first, you hold high
expectations for yourself and your students, and you conduct yourself in a
professional manner.
• As teachers, have a responsibility to ensure that students gain the knowledge and
skills they require to become effective learners and ultimately effective and
responsible citizens and to understand and appreciate the values and beliefs.
• teachers have the responsibility to meet the high standards of professional and ethical
behaviour required by the Government, the public, parents and the profession itself.
• Teachers responsibility (responsibilities towards students, parents, community,
colleagues, employers and profession)
• Effective communication.
• Working collaborative with colleagues.
• Dealing with conflicts.
• Continuous Professional Development (CPD). Teachers should continuously learn and
develop themselves. Need to be on going learner.
 Sources
Ex :

Etico web portal