Code of Ethics for Professional Teachers (Philippines) PDF

The Code of Ethics for Professional Teachers  PREAMBLE Teachers are 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...

The Code of Ethics for Professional Teachers  PREAMBLE Teachers are 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.  ARTICLE I Scope and Limitations Section 1. 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 is full realization. The provisions of this Code shall apply, therefore, to all teachers in all schools in the Philippines.  ARTICLE I Scope and Limitations Section 2. This Code covers all public and private school teachers in all educational institutions at the preschool, primary, elementary, and secondary levels whether academic, vocational, special, technical, or non-formal. The term “teacher” shall include industrial art or vocational teachers and all other persons performing supervisory and/or administrative functions in all schools at the aforesaid levels, whether  ABSTRACTION The Preamble and Article I tells that teachers who have no license are not included in the group of professional teachers. All teachers both private and public in all levels from preschool to secondary whether they are academic, vocational, special, technical, or non-formal – are included in the definition of professional teachers and are therefore required of a professional license and are subject to the Code of Ethics for Professional Teachers.  ARTICLE II The Teacher and The State Section 1. The schools are the nurseries of the citizens of the state. Each teacher is a trustee of the cultural and educational heritage of the nation and is under obligation to transmit to learners such heritage as well as to elevate national morality, promote national pride, cultivate love of country, instill allegiance to the Constitution and respect for all duly constituted authorities, and promote obedience to the laws of the state.  ABSTRACTION The Cambridge English Dictionary defines “nursery” as a place where babies and young children are cared for while their parents are somewhere else. In horticulture, a nursery is a place where young plants and trees are cultivated and grown. Indeed parents leave their children in school under the care of teachers while they work. Like nurseries where young plants are cultivated and grown, schools through teachers are entrusted with the noble task of instilling pride in learners one’s cultural and educational heritage, love of country, and in sowing the seeds of national morality.  ARTICLE II The Teacher and The State Section 2. Every teacher or school official shall actively help carry out the declared policies of the state, and shall take an oath to this effect. Section 3. In the interest of the State of the Filipino people as much of his own, every teacher shall be physically, mentally, and morally fit.  ABSTRACTION Every teacher is expected to be fit or else cannot perform his/her function. Pursuant to Sec. 22 (Medical Examination and Treatment) of RA 4670 otherwise known as the Magna Carta to Public School Teachers, teachers shall undergo annual physical examination free of charge not less than once a year during the teacher’s professional life.  ARTICLE II The Teacher and The State Section 4. Every teacher shall possess and actualize full commitment and devotion to duty. Section 5. A teacher shall not engage in the promotion of any political, religious, or other partisan interest, and shall not, directly, or indirectly, solicit, require, collect, or receive any money, service, other valuable material from any person or entity for such purposes.  ABSTRACTION As a professional, the teacher is expected not to take advantage of his/her position or power to promote his/her own interest whether political nor religious, nor to solicit, require or collect any money, service, or material from any person.  ARTICLE II The Teacher and The State Section 6. Every teacher shall vote and shall exercise all other constitutional rights and responsibilities. Section 7. A teacher shall not use his position or official authority to influence to coerce any other person to follow any political course of action.  ABSTRACTION A professional teacher violates Section 6 of Article II if he/she fails to vote for no justifiable reason. Voting is teacher’s participation in the affairs of the state. He/she also violates Section 7 of Article II if he/she engages in partisan politics. Teachers have to preserve the dignity of the education sector by not engaging directly or indirectly in electioneering except to vote. Engaging in partisan politics is teacher’s abuse of authority.  ARTICLE II The Teacher and The State Section 8. Every teacher shall enjoy academic freedom and shall have the privilege of sharing the product of his researches and investigations, provided that, if the results are inimical to the declared policies of the State, they shall be drawn to the proper authorities for appropriate remedial action.  ABSTRACTION The professional teacher shall enjoy academic freedom so he/she can share the product of his/her researches and investigations in support of endless search for truth. However, this academic freedom is not absolute. It has limits. If the research findings are damaging to the state, the research results shall be submitted to the proper authorities for appropriate action.  ARTICLE III The Teacher and The Community Section 1. A teacher is a facilitator of learning and of the development of the youth; he shall, therefore, render the bests services by providing an environment conducive to such learning and growth. Section 2. Every teacher shall provide leadership and initiative to actively participate in community movements for moral, social, educational, economic, and civic betterment.  ARTICLE III The Teacher and The Community Section 3. 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. Section 4. Every teacher shall help the school keep the people in the community, and shall, therefore, study and understand local customs and traditions in order to have a sympathetic attitude, therefore, refrain from disparaging the community.  ARTICLE III The Teacher and The Community Section 5. Every teacher shall help the school keep the people in the community informed about the school’s work and accomplishments as well as its needs and problems. Section 6. Every teacher is an intellectual leader in the community; especially in the barangay, and shall welcome the opportunity to provide such leadership when needed, to extend counseling services, as appropriate, and to actively be involved in matters affecting the welfare of the people.  ARTICLE III The Teacher and The Community Section 7. Every teacher shall maintain harmonious and pleasant personal and official relations with other professionals, with government officials, and with the people, individually or collectively. Section 8. A teacher possesses freedom to attend church and worship, as appropriate, but shall not use his position and influence to proselyte others.  ABSTRACTION As a professional teacher, he/she is a facilitator of learning by ensuring that he/she provides a favorable environment for learning. He/she acts as a leader by initiating and participating in community activities for the benefit of community members and the community as a whole. As a community leader he/she deals with other professionals and community officials harmoniously and professionally. Because he/she wants to work with the community, he/she keeps people informed of the developments in school.  ABSTRACTION He/she does not take advantage of his/her position as a professional teacher to proselyte. Neither does he/she criticize community customs and traditions. Instead, he/she exerts effort to understand them with a sympathetic attitude. Above all, to be a credible community leader, he/she earns the respect of community by behaving with dignity at all times and so will not engage in vices such as gambling, smoking, drunkenness, and illicit relations.  ARTICLE IX The Teacher and Parents Section 1. A teacher shall establish and maintain cordial relations with parents, and shall conduct himself to merit their confidence and respect. Section 2. A teacher shall inform parents, through proper authorities, of the progress or deficiencies of learners under him, exercising utmost candor and tact in pointing out learners’ deficiencies and in seeking parent’s cooperation for the proper guidance and improvement of learners. Section 3. A teacher shall hear parent’s complaints with sympathy and understanding, and shall discourage unfair criticism.  ABSTRACTION Teachers need to connect with parents, his/her partners in the education of the learners. For the partnership to flourish, teachers shall maintain cordial relations with the parents. This relationship remains cordial if a teacher is sincere and tactful in reporting child’s progress.  ARTICLE V The Teacher and the Teaching Community Section 1. Teachers shall, at all times, be 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. Section 2. A teacher is not entitled to claim for work not of his own, and shall give due credit for the work of  ABSTRACTION A professional teacher should work in collaboration with his/her fellow teachers. Gossip destroys collegial relationships. It has no place in a professional community. A brotherly/sisterly correction for what may appear to be unprofessional and unethical conduct of an associate is an act that is becoming of a professional. Give credit to whom credit is due. A professional teacher will not claim credit for work not of his/her own.  ARTICLE V The Teacher and the Teaching Community Section 3. Before leaving his position, a teacher shall organize and leave to his successor such records and other data as are necessary to carry on the work. Section 4. 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 permission.  ABSTRACTION In order not to jeopardize office operation or work, a teacher before leaving position, shall organize records for his/her successor. May a time a turn-over ceremony is done but up to ceremony only because records are not organized and so hampers the continuity of operation. Teachers are required to maintain the confidentiality of sensitive information related to their colleagues and the school. They must not share unpublished documents or remove official records without proper authorization.  ARTICLE V The Teacher and the Teaching Community Section 5. It shall be the responsibility of every teacher to seek correctives for what may appear to be an unprofessional and unethical conduct of any associate. This may be done only if there is incontrovertible evidence for such conduct. Section 6. 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.  ABSTRACTION Teachers are responsible for addressing and correcting unprofessional or unethical behavior by colleagues. This action should only be taken if there is clear, undeniable evidence of such misconduct. Teachers may report valid concerns or criticism about a colleague to the appropriate authorities, ideally in written form, while ensuring they do not violate the rights of the person being reported. This emphasize accountability, fairness, and respect for due process in maintaining professional standards.  ARTICLE V The Teacher and the Teaching Community Section 7. 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.  ABSTRACTION It is unprofessional for a teacher to apply for a position for which he is not qualified. Professionalism demands that selection is based on merit and competence. It is likewise unprofessional to divulge confidential information concerning associates and the school.  ARTICLE VI The Teacher and Higher Authorities in the Philippines Section 1. A 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 professional feeling or private opinion and shall faithfully carry them out. Section 2. A teacher shall not make any false accusation or charges against superiors, especially under anonymity. However, if there are valid charges, he should present such under oath to competent authority.  ABSTRACTION It is unprofessional for a teacher to campaign against legitimate policies of the school and administration with which he/she disagrees. In contrast, the professional thing to do is to support the legitimate policies even though as a professional teacher one is personally against it. One must exert effort to understand the wisdom of the policies of the administration. In the first place, they may not have become policies if they are not for the good of teachers. It is likewise unprofessional to file charges against superiors under cover of anonymity. If there is truth in the charges filed against superiors, one should not be afraid to come into the open. “The truth shall set you free.”  ARTICLE VI The Teacher and Higher Authorities in the Philippines Section 3. A teacher shall transact all official business through channels except when special conditions warrant a different procedure, such as when reforms are advocated but are opposed by the immediate superior, in which case the teachers shall appeal directly to the appropriate higher authority.  ABSTRACTION To transact business through proper channels is the professional and ethical thing to do. There are exceptions, however. When the reforms advocated are opposed by the immediate superior, the teacher shall appeal directly to the proper higher authority. Example: In implementing a new teaching method, the teacher must first propose it to their immediate superior. However, if the superior (e.g., principal) refuses to support the idea without valid reasons and the teacher believes the reform is crucial for student development, the teacher may bypass the principal and directly present the proposal to a higher authority, such as the superintendent or the school board, to seek approval.  ARTICLE VI The Teacher and Higher Authorities in the Philippines Section 4. A teacher, individually or as part of a group, has a right to seek redress against injustice and discrimination and, to the extent possible, shall raise his grievances within democratic processes. In doing so, he shall avoid jeopardizing the interest and welfare of learners whose right to learn must be respected.  ABSTRACTION To go on strike is unprofessional. True, professional teachers have a right to seek redress against injustice or discrimination but should do it in a manner that does not jeopardize the welfare of the students whose right to learn must be respected. Teachers going on strike adversely affects learners.  ARTICLE VI The Teacher and Higher Authorities in the Philippines Section 5. A teacher has a right to invoke the principle that appointments, promotions, and transfers of teachers are made only on the basis of merit and need in the interest of the service. Section 6. 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.  ABSTRACTION Appointments and promotions are based only on merit and need in the interest of service in the profession. Likewise, transfer of professional teachers is done on the basis of merit and need. Transfer of a teacher made because of school head’s prejudice towards the teacher is unprofessional.  ARTICLE VII School Officials, Teachers, and Other Personnel Section 1. School officials shall at all times show professional courtesy, helpfulness, and sympathy towards teachers and other personnel, such practices being standards of effective school supervision, dignified administration, responsible leadership and enlightened direction. 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.  ABSTRACTION School officials must always treat teachers and staff with respect, support, and understanding. This approach reflects professionalism and promotes effective supervision, leadership, and administration within the school. Collaboration among school officials, teachers, and staff is essential in developing policies or implementing significant changes in the educational system, ensuring collective responsibility and improvement at all levels.  ARTICLE VII School Officials, Teachers, and Other Personnel Section 3. School officials shall encourage and attend to the professional growth of all teachers under them such as recommending them for promotion, giving them due recognition for meritorious performance, and allowing them to participate in conferences and training programs. Section 4. No school official shall dismiss or recommend for dismissal a teacher or other subordinates except for a  ABSTRACTION School officials should actively support teachers' professional development by recognizing their achievements, recommending promotions, and encouraging participation in training or conferences to enhance their skills and knowledge. School officials cannot dismiss or recommend dismissal of a teacher or staff member without a valid and justifiable reason, ensuring fairness and due process in employment decisions.  ARTICLE VII School Officials, Teachers, and Other Personnel Section 5. School authorities concerned shall ensure that public school teachers are employed in accordance with pertinent civil service rules, and private school teachers are issued contracts specifying the terms and conditions of their work, provided that they are given, if qualified, subsequent permanent tenure, in accordance with existing laws, and provided, further that they are duly registered and licensed professional teachers.  ABSTRACTION School authorities must ensure that the hiring of teachers complies with legal and regulatory requirements. Public school teachers must follow civil service rules, while private school teachers should be given clear contracts detailing their work conditions. Qualified teachers should be granted permanent tenure, provided they are licensed and registered professionals, in accordance with the law.  ARTICLE VIII The Teacher and Learners Section 1. A teacher has the right and duly determine the academic marks and the promotion of learners in the subjects they handle. Such determination shall be in accordance with generally accepted producers of evaluation and measurement. In case of any complaint, teachers concerned shall immediately take appropriate action, observing the process.  ABSTRACTION Teachers have the right and responsibility to assess students' academic performance and determine their grades or promotions based on established evaluation and measurement methods. If a complaint arises, the teacher must address it promptly and follow proper procedures to resolve the issue fairly.  ARTICLE VIII The Teacher and Learners Section 2. 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. Section 3. Under no circumstance shall a teacher be prejudiced nor discriminatory against any learner. Section 4. 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.  ABSTRACTION A teacher must prioritize the well-being and best interests of learners, treating each student fairly and without bias. Teachers must avoid any form of prejudice or discrimination against learners, ensuring equality and respect for all. Teachers should not accept favors or gifts from learners or their families in return for special treatment, especially if it compromises fairness or integrity.  ARTICLE VIII The Teacher and Learners Section 5. A teacher shall not accept, discreetly or indirectly, any remuneration from tutorials other than what is authorized for such service. Section 6. A teacher shall base the evaluation of the learner’s work on merit and qualify of academic performance. Section 7. In a situation where mutual attraction and subsequent love develop between teacher and learner, the teacher shall exercise utmost professional discretion to  ABSTRACTION Teachers must not accept unauthorized payment for tutorials, ensuring all additional services provided are legitimate and properly approved. The evaluation of a learner's work should be based solely on merit and the quality of their academic performance, ensuring fairness and objectivity. If a romantic relationship develops between a teacher and a learner, the teacher must act with the highest level of professionalism to prevent scandals, rumors, or favoritism, maintaining the integrity of their role.  ARTICLE VIII The Teacher and Learners Section 8. A teacher shall not inflict corporal punishment on offending learners not make deductions from their scholastic ratings as a punishment for acts which are clearly not manifestations of poor scholarship. Section 9. A teacher shall insure 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.  ABSTRACTION Teachers are prohibited from using corporal punishment or lowering a student's grades as a form of punishment for actions that are not related to academic performance. Discipline should be fair and appropriate to the situation. Teachers must ensure that the learning environment is conducive to students’ maximum development. They are also responsible for providing assistance in addressing and resolving any problems or difficulties that students may face.  ARTICLE IX Section 1. A teacher shall establish and maintain cordial relations with parents, The Teacher and Parents and shall conduct himself to merit their confidence and respect. Section 2. A teacher shall inform parents, through proper authorities, of the progress or deficiencies of learners under him, exercising utmost candor and tact in pointing out learners’ deficiencies and in seeking parent’s cooperation for the proper guidance and improvement of learners. Section 3. A teacher shall hear parent’s  ABSTRACTION A teacher should build friendly, respectful relationships with parents to earn their trust and confidence. Teachers must keep parents informed about their child’s academic progress, especially any areas of concern, and should do so politely and honestly. They should also work with parents to help the child improve. Teachers should listen to parents' complaints with understanding and empathy, and avoid encouraging or participating in unfair criticism of others.  ARTICLE X The Teacher and Business Section 1. A teacher has a right to engage, directly or indirectly, in legitimate income generation, provided that it does not relate to or adversely affect his work. Section 2. A teacher shall maintain a good reputation with respect to financial matters such as in the settlement of his just debts, loans, and other financial affairs.  ABSTRACTION A teacher has the right to earn extra income through legitimate means, as long as it doesn't interfere with their teaching responsibilities or negatively impact their work. A teacher must manage their finances responsibly, ensuring they settle debts, loans, and other financial obligations in a timely manner to maintain a good reputation.  ARTICLE X The Teacher and Business Section 3. No teacher shall act, directly or indirectly, as agent of, or be financially interested in, any commercial venture which furnish textbooks and other school commodities in the purchase and disposal of which he can exercise official influence, except only when his assignment is inherently related to such purchase and disposal, provided that such shall be in accordance with existing regulations.  ABSTRACTION A teacher must not act as an agent or have a financial interest in any business that sells textbooks or school supplies if they have any official influence over the purchasing process. The only exception is if their job directly involves overseeing these purchases, and even then, it must follow all relevant rules and regulations.  ARTICLE XI The Teacher as a Person Section 1. A teacher shall live with dignity in all places at all times. Section 2. 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. Section 3. A teacher shall maintain at all times a dignified personality which could serve as model worthy of emulation by learners, peers, and others. Section 4. A teacher shall always recognize the Almighty God or Being as guide of his own destiny and the destinies of men and  ARTICLE XII Disciplinary Actions Section 1. Any violation of any provision of his Code shall be sufficient for the imposition against the erring teacher of disciplinary action consisting of revocation of his Certificate of Registration and License as Professional Teacher, suspension from the practice o the teaching profession, reprimand, or cancellation of his temporary/special permit under causes specified in Section 23, Article III or R.A. No. 7836, and under  ABSTRACTION If a teacher violates any part of the Code of Ethics, they may face disciplinary action. This can include the revocation of their teaching license, suspension from teaching, a formal reprimand, or cancellation of their temporary permit. The specific penalties are outlined in Section 23, Article III of R.A. No. 7836 and Rule 31, Article VIII of its implementing regulations.  ARTICLE XIII Effectivity Section 1. This Code shall be approved by the Professional Regulation Commission and shall take effect sixty (60) days following its publication in the official Gazette or any newspaper of general circulation, whichever is earlier.