Code of Ethics for Professional Teachers

• The Board for Professional Teachers adopted the Code of Ethics for Professional Teachers.
• This is pursuant to R.A. No. 7836, the Philippine Teachers Professionalization Act of 1994 and P.D. No. 223.
• The Code of Ethics is for licensed teachers with high moral values and technical competence.
• Teachers must adhere to ethical and moral principles.

Scope and Limitations

• The Code applies to all teachers in schools in the Philippines.
• It includes teachers in public and private schools at all levels: preschool, primary, elementary, and secondary.
• This encompasses academic, vocational, special, technical, or non-formal education.
• The term "teacher" includes industrial arts, vocational teachers, and those in supervisory or administrative roles, whether full-time or part-time.

The Teacher and the State

• Schools are the nurseries of future citizens.
• Teachers are trustees of the nation's cultural and educational heritage.
• They are obligated to transmit this heritage to learners.
• Teachers must elevate national morality and promote national pride.
• They need to cultivate love of country and instill allegiance to the constitution.
• Teachers must promote obedience to the laws of the state.
• Every teacher must actively help carry out state policies and take an oath to this effect.
• Teachers should be physically, mentally, and morally fit.
• Full commitment and devotion to duty are required.
• Teachers should not promote any political, religious, or partisan interests.
• Soliciting or receiving money or services for such purposes is prohibited.
• Teachers should exercise their constitutional rights and responsibilities, including voting.
• Teachers should not use their position to coerce political action.
• Academic freedom is enjoyed by teachers.
• Teachers can expound on research, but results inimical to state policies should be reported to authorities.

The Teacher and the Community

• Teachers facilitate learning and youth development, providing a conducive environment.
• They should provide leadership and participate in community movements for betterment.
• Teachers should merit social recognition, behave with honor, and refrain from excesses and illicit relations.
• Teachers should live for and with the community, understanding local customs.
• Refrain from disparaging the community.
• Teachers should inform the community about the school's work and needs.
• Teachers should offer intellectual leadership and counseling services in the community.
• Harmonious relations should be maintained with other professionals, officials, and the people.
• Teachers have freedom of worship but should not use their positions to proselytize.

The Teacher and the Profession

• Teachers should ensure teaching is a noble profession with genuine enthusiasm.
• They should uphold high standards of quality education.
• They must prepare for the career of teaching and be at their best.
• Participation in Continuing Professional Education (CPE) is a must.
• Teachers should pursue studies to improve efficiency and competence.
• Teachers can seek support for the school if authorized, without misrepresentations.
• The teaching profession should be used in a manner that makes it a dignified means for earning a decent living.

The Teachers and the Colleagues

• Teachers should have professional loyalty, mutual confidence, and cooperation.
• Support one another when the interest of learners or the profession is at stake.
• Do not claim credit for others' work and give due credit where it is owed.
• Organize records for successors before leaving a position.
• Keep confidential information about associates and the school inviolate.
• Seek correctives for unprofessional conduct of associates with evidence.
• Justifiable criticism against an associate may be submitted to authorities in writing.
• Apply for vacant positions respecting the merit-based selection system.

The Teacher and Higher Authorities in the Profession

• Teachers must support legitimate school policies regardless of personal feelings.
• False accusations against superiors, especially anonymously, are prohibited.
• Valid charges should be presented under oath to competent authority.
• Official business should be transacted through channels.
• Teachers can seek redress against injustice using democratic processes.
• Appointments, promotions, and transfers should be based on merit and service needs.
• Accepting a position implies a contractual obligation to fulfill the terms.

School Officials, Teachers, and Other Personnel

• School officials should show professional courtesy and helpfulness.
• Cooperative responsibility is expected in formulating policies.
• School officials should encourage professional growth of teachers.
• Dismissal of teachers should only be for cause.
• Public school teachers should be employed according to civil service rules.
• Private school teachers should have contracts specifying terms and tenure.

The Teachers and Learners

• Teachers have the right to determine academic marks and promotions.
• This must be done following accepted evaluation procedures.
• The interest and welfare of learners are the first concern.
• Teachers should deal justly and impartially with each learner.
• Prejudice or discrimination against a learner is not allowed.
• Teachers should not accept favors or gifts in exchange for concessions.
• Remuneration from tutorials should be authorized.
• Evaluation of learner’s work should be based on merit and academic performance.
• In cases of mutual attraction, teachers should avoid scandal and preferential treatment.
• Corporal punishment or deductions from scholastic ratings as punishment are prohibited.
• Teachers should ensure adequate conditions for learners' development.
• They must extend assistance in preventing or solving learners’ problems.

The Teachers and Parents

• Teachers should establish and maintain cordial relations with parents.
• Parents should be informed of the learner's progress and deficiencies.
• Teachers should exercise candor and tact and seek parent cooperation.
• Teachers should hear parents’ complaints with sympathy.
• Unfair criticism should be discouraged.

The Teacher and Business

• Teachers can engage in legitimate income generation.
• It should not affect their work as a teacher.
• Teachers should maintain a good reputation in financial matters.
• Teachers should not act as agents for commercial ventures related to school commodities.
• Teachers' cooperatives may participate in the distribution and sale of commodities.

The Teacher as a Person

• A teacher must live with dignity at all times.
• Self-discipline is paramount in all relationships and situations.
• Teachers should maintain a dignified personality as a model.
• The Almighty God should be recognized as a guide.

Disciplinary Actions

• Violations of the code can result in revocation of certification, suspension, reprimand, or cancellation of permits.
• This is under Sec. 23, Article III of R.A. No. 7836 and Rule 31, Article VIII.

Effectivity

• The Code takes effect upon approval by the Professional Regulation Commission.
• It takes effect 60 days after publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation, whichever is earlier.