THE TEACHER AND THE LEARNERS

Motivate

How do you want your teacher to be? What are your wishes for your Teacher? Write them down below.

Engage

Read Article VIII of the Code of Ethics. Then answer the questions after the reading materials.

ARTICLE VIII THE TEACHER AND THE LEARNERS

Section 1. A teacher has a right and duty to determine the academic marks and the promotions
of learners in the subject or grades he handles; such determination shall be in
accordance with generally accepted procedures of evaluation and measurement. In
case of any complaint, teachers concerned shall immediately take appropriate actions,
of serving due process.

Section 2. A teacher shall recognize that the interest and welfare of learners are of first and
foremost concerns, and shall deal justifiably and impartially with each of them.

Section 3. Under no circumstance shall a teacher be prejudiced nor discriminated against by the
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.

Section 5. A teacher shall not accept, directly or indirectly, any remuneration from tutorials other
what is authorized for such service.

Section 6. A teacher shall base the evaluation of the learner’s work only in merit and quality of
academic performance.

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 ARTICLE VIII THE TEACHER AND THE LEARNERS

Section 7. In a situation where mutual attraction and subsequent love develop between teacher
and learner, the teacher shall exercise utmost professional discretion to avoid scandal,
gossip and preferential treatment of the learner.

Section 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
manifestation of poor scholarship.

Section 9. A teacher shall ensure 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.

Answer the following questions:

In the “Wishes for My Teacher” that were read, which were most common?

Based on Article VIII, The Teacher and Learners of the Code of Ethics, find out if your wishes are those or
not those that you read in Article VIII.

Discuss

Perhaps the teacher's traits that are wished by most can be summed up in the words
"Caring," "Compassionate" and "Fair." Article VIll, The Teacher and Learner" of the Code of
Ethics describes the professional teacher to be such. Fair because he/she "bases the
evaluation of the learners work on merit and quality of academic performance;" shall not
"make deductions from learners such scholastic ratings, as primary scholastic" and
"determine academic marks... in accordance with generally accepted procedures of
evaluation and measurements" and shall handle each learner justly and impartially.

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 Should love develop between teacher and student, the professional teacher is expected to
be fair because he/she shall "exercise utmost professional discretion to avoid... preferential
treatment of the learner." Teacher fairness is assured when a teacher does not accept favor
or gifts from learner or their parents in exchange for requested concessions.

The professional teacher is likewise described as "caring and compassionate." Article VIll,
points out that the professional teacher has the "interest and welfare of learners" as his/her
"first and foremost concern" and "under no circumstance shall a teacher be prejudiced nor
discriminatory against any learner." The professional teacher is also seen to be caring and
compassionate when he/she does not inflict corporal punishment on offending learners."

Innovate

TASK: Prepare a 5-minute video presentation on: The Teacher and Learners. The objective of the
video presentation is to give concrete instances of teacher-learner professional relationship.
Be guided by Article VIII of the Code of Ethics.

Assess

DIRECTIONS: Encircle the letter of the correct answer.

1. Does the Code of Ethics for Professional Teachers prohibit a teacher and student to fall in
love with each other?
a. Yes, because it is unprofessional.
b. No, but student should be transferred to another class.
c. No, but teacher shall exercise utmost professional discretion to avoid preferential
treatment of the learner.
d. Yes, because teacher will show favoritism definitely.

2. What should be the first and foremost concern of the professional teacher?
a. The interest and welfare of the learners
b. The progress of the learners
c. The social adjustment of the learners
d. The happiness of the learners

3. Does the Code of Ethics for Professional Teachers allow teacher to accept remuneration for
students’ which tutor teachers deserve?
a. Yes, they deserve the remuneration for the tutorial services.
b. No, except for what is authorized for such service.
c. Yes, provided pay is not excessive.
d. No, they are professional teachers and so are expected to give tutorial service.

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 THE TEACHER AND THE COMMUNITY

Engage

Read Article V of the Code of Ethics. Then answer the question after the reading materials.

ARTICLE V THE TEACHER AND THE TEACHING COMMUNITY

Section 1. Teacher 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, teacher shall support one another.

Section 2. A teacher is not entitled to claim credit or work not of his own. and shall give due
credit for the work of others which he may use.

Section 3. Before leaving his position, a teacher shall organize for whoever assumes the
position 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 has not been officially
released, or remove records from the files without permission.

Section 5. It shall be the responsibility of every teacher to seek correctives for what he may
appear to be an unprofessional and unethical conduct of any associates. However,
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 the right of the individual
concerned.

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.

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 Analysis
Study the figures below and state what each figure is saying about how a teacher should relate to his/her
fellow teacher.

Totoo naman a!
Hindi ito tsismis.
Complaint against
Teacher A

Mark Carpio
Principal

Discuss

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.

Should there be justifiable criticism against a fellow teacher, the right recourse is to submit
to proper authorities any justifiable criticism.

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.

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 Give credit to whom credit is due. A professional teacher will not claim credit for work not
of his / her own.

In order not to jeopardize office operation or work, a teacher before leaving position, shall
organize records for his/her successor. Many a time a turn-over ceremony is well done but
up to ceremony only because records are not organized and so hampers the continuity of
operation,

In short, at all times, professional teachers shall be loyal to and trust and support one
another for the common good.

Innovate

TASK: Compose a rap or a song on how professional teachers should related to another to form a
genuine teaching community. Make sure the song is based on Article V.

Assess

DIRECTIONS: Encircle the letter of the correct answer.

1. Students reported to you about a teacher who has made it a habit to collect money for
quizzes that never were mimeographed or photocopied, the very reason for money
collection. What is ethical for you to do?
a. File a written complaint against the teacher with the students’ oral report as
evidence.
b. Talk to the teacher concerned and correct his unethical conduct.
c. Bring the students and parents to the teacher concerned.
d. Advise the students to file a written complaint against the teacher.

2. The school was preparing for a national choral competition. What should be the response
of the teaching community?
a. Let the Music teachers do the work since it is music-related.
b. All teachers should cooperate with and support the Music teachers in whatever
way.
c. Teachers complained against by students should not be involved in the preparation
activities.
d. Give passing grades to all students involved in the oral competition.

3. What is the professional obligation of one leaving a position?

a. Pass on organized records to successor to carry on the work.
b. Tender a despedida party.
c. Leave your clerk/secretary for your successor’s guidance.
d. Erase all record; successor does not need them anyway. 29
 THE TEACHER AND HIGHER AUTHORITIES IN THE PHILIPPINES

Engage

Read Article VI of the Code of Ethics. Then answer the questions after the reading materials.

ARTICLE VI THE TEACHER AND HIGHER AUTHORITIES IN THE PHILIPPINES

Section 1. Every teacher shall make it his duties to make an honest effort to understand and
support the legitimate policies of the school and the administration regardless of
personal feeling or private opinion and shall faithfully carry them out.

Section 2. A teacher shall not make any false accusations or charges against superiors, especially
under anonymity. However, if there are valid charges, he should present such under
oath to competent authority.

Section 3. A teacher shall transact all official business through channels except when special
conditions warrant a different procedure, such as when special conditions are
advocated but are opposed by immediate superiors, in which case, the teacher shall
appeal directly to the appropriate higher authority.

Section 4. Every teacher, individually or as part of a group, has a right to seek redress against
injustice to the administration and to extent possible, shall raise grievances within
acceptable democratic possesses. In doing so. they shall avoid jeopardizing the
interest and the welfare of learners who’s right to learn must be respected.

Section 5. Every teacher has a right to invoke the principle that appointments, promotions, and
transfer of teachers are made only on the basis of merit and needed 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 employment terms and conditions.

Let’s have a pretest on how the teacher relates to higher authorities in the Philippines. Answer with a YES
or NO.
Is it a professional for a teacher:
1. To campaign against legitimate policies of the school and administration with which s/he
disagrees?
2. Not to support a legitimate policy with which s/he disagrees?
3. To file charges against superiors under anonymity to protect himself/herself?
4. To transact official business through proper channels, no exception?
5. To go on strike with his group to seek redress against injustice?
6. To be promoted based only on years of service?
7. To complain against transfer of teachers with whom the school head has prejudice?

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Discuss

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."

To transact official 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.

To go on strike is not professional. 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 learners whose right to learn must •be respected. Teachers going on strike
adversely affects learners.

Appointments, 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.

Assess

DIRECTIONS: Encircle the letter of the correct answer.

1. Appointments, promotions and transfer of professional teachers are done only on the basis
of _________ and ________ in the __________.
a. Merit – Need – Interest of Service
b. Qualifications – Years of Service – Interest of Learners
c. Seniority – Academic Degrees – Interest of Teachers
d. Technical – Professional Competence – Interest of the Profession

2. Is it professional to support a school’s policy even if you do not personally agree?

a. No.
b. Yes.
c. Yes, if it is a policy for teachers.
d. Yes, it depends on the kind of policy.

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 THE TEACHER AND THE PROFESSION

Motivate

Explain briefly the quotation below:

“One book, one pen, one child and one teacher can change the word.”

Engage

Read Article IV of the Code of Ethics. Then answer the questions after the reading materials.

ARTICLE IV THE TEACHER AND THE PROFESSION

Section 1. Every teacher shall actively insure that teaching is the noblest profession, and shall
manifest genuine enthusiasm and pride in teaching as a noble calling.

Section 2. Every teacher shall uphold the highest possible standards of quality education, shall
make the best preparations for the career of teaching, and shall be at his best at all
times and in the practice of his profession.

Section 3. Every teacher shall participate in the Continuing Professional Education (CPE) program
of the Professional Regulation Commission, and shall pursue such other studies as will
improve his efficiency, enhance the prestige of the profession, and strengthen his
competence, virtues, and productivity in order to be nationally and internationally
competitive.

Section 4. Every teacher shall help, if duly authorized, to seek support from the school, but shall
not make improper misrepresentations through personal advertisements and other
questionable means.

Section 5. Every teacher shall use the teaching profession in a manner that makes it dignified
means for earning a decent living.

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 Here are quotations on the teaching profession. To which Section of Article IV does each quotation
refer?

1. I wish I could persuade every teacher, to be proud of his occupation – not conceited or pompous,
but proud. People who introduce themselves with the shame mark that they are “just teachers”
give despair in my heart. Did you ever hear a lawyer say depreciatingly that he was only a patent
attorney? Did you ever hear a physician say “I am just a brain surgeon?” I beg of you to stop
apologizing for being a member of the most important profession in the world. Draw yourself up
to your full height; look at anybody squarely in the eye and say, “I am a Teacher.” – Will

2. Good, better, best. Never let it rest until your good is better and your better is best. – Tim Duncan

3. There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work and learning from failure.
– Colin Powell

4. Success is where preparation and opportunity meet. – Bobby Unser

5. Self-respect is the fruit of discipline; the sense of dignity goes with the ability to say no oneself. –
Abraham Joshua Heschel

6. There are two kinds of pride both good and bad. Good pride represents our dignity and self-
respect. Bad pride is the deadly sin of superiority that reeks of conceit and arrogance. – John C.
Maxwell

What does each quotation mean? To which section of Article IV of the Code of Ethics does each quote
relate?

Discuss

The first quote relates to Section l, professional teachers should introduce themselves with
pride as professional teachers not as "just" professional teachers.

The second and fourth quotes relate to Section 2, making the best preparation for the
teaching career and Section 3, continuing professional education.

The fifth and sixth quotes in essence talk about self-respect which is the essence of Section
4 and 5 of Article IV, The Teacher and the Profession. The Code of Professional Conduct for
Public School Teachers cited in Section 7 of RA 4670 states: It (referring to the work of the
teacher in the development of the young) is a trust of which every teacher should strive to
be worthy. Who uses his position for an unworthy purpose betrays the trust."

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Innovate

TASK: Develop a 15-minute PowerPoint present to convince viewers that teaching is the noblest
profession and being so deserves the best preparation and the best candidates.

Assess

DIRECTIONS: Encircle the letter of the correct answer.

3. As a professional teacher, you shall manifest genuine ___________ and ____________ in teaching
as ___________ calling.
a. Pride – Enthusiasm – New
b. Enthusiasm – Pride – Noble
c. Enthusiasm – Pride – Good
d. Genuineness – Pride – Mission

4. To be nationally and internationally competitive, in which should teacher participate

according to Article IV of the Code of Ethics?
a. Continuing Professional Development
b. Seminars
c. Evaluate school courses
d. Writing books

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 THE CODE OF ETHICS FOR PROFESSIONAL TEACHERS: His/Her Person, Profession and Business

Engage

Read Article XI of the Code of Ethics. Then answer the following questions:
1. What is the big challenge for a teacher?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. Are you ready to face the challenges?

_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
3.

ARTICLE XI THE TEACHER AS A PERSON

Section 1. A teacher is, above all. a human being endowed with life for which it is the highest
obligation to live with dignity at all times whether in school, in the home, or elsewhere.

Section 2. A teacher shall place premium upon self-discipline as the primary principles 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 a
model worthy of emulation by learners, peers and all others.

Section 4. A teacher shall always recognize the Almighty God as guide of his own destiny and
of the destinies of men and nations.

Discuss

So much is demanded of the teacher as a person. He/She is looked up to as model and

therefore must walk her talk or ends up like a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. This is a big
challenge. His/ her highest obligation is to live with dignity in all places at all times, so 24
hours a day, 7 days a week, 31 days a month, 365 or 366 days a year. He/she will never
regret if he/she has made self-respect and self-discipline as the governing principle in
his/her relationships with all people in all situations. With the almighty God at the center of
his/her life, the professional teacher will be resolute in his/her intent to maintain a dignified
personality and so can serve as a model for learners, peers and all others.

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 The Code of Professional Conduct for Public School Teachers cited in Section 7 of RA 4670
puts it succinctly:

INTEGRITY Since the teacher's work is not confined merely to the development of certain
fundamental skills and abilities encompassed by the teaching of the 3Rs but also includes
the development of desirable habits and attitudes that go into the formation of character,
his manner of living should provide a worthy example for his pupils and students to emulate,
for his fellow teachers to be proud of and for the community to feel as being enriched by it.

Innovate

TASK: Describe the teacher as a person based on Article XI of the Code of Ethics by way a cinquain. A cinquain
is a five-poem composed of:
1. Line 1 – one word
2. Line 2 – 2 adjectives that describe Line 1
3. Line 3 – 3 action word that relate to Line 1
4. Line 4 – 4 words (feelings) that relate to Line 1 or a complete sentence
5. Line 5 – 1 word, a synonym of line 1 or a word that sums it up.

Here is an example:
TEACHER.
Caring, compassionate
Questioning, listening, responding
I love her dearly.
Idol.

Assess

DIRECTIONS: Encircle the letter of the correct answer.

1. For a professional teacher to live with dignity all places at all times, which should be his/her principles
of personal behavior?
(I. Self-respect II. Self-discipline III. Charity IV. Sincerity)
a. I and II
b. I, II, III
c. II and III
d. I, II, III, and IV
2. For a professional teacher to live with dignity all places at all times, which should be his/her principles
of personal behavior?
a. Learners
b. Almighty God
c. School Head
d. Teaching philosophy 36
Engage

Read Article X of the Code of Ethics.

ARTICLE X THE TEACHER AND BUSINESS

Section 1. A teacher has the right to engage, directly or indirectly, in legitimate income
generation: provided that it does not relate to or adversely affect his work as a teacher.

Section 2. A teacher shall maintain a good reputation with respect to the financial matters such
as in the settlement of his debts and loans in arranging satisfactorily his private
financial affairs.

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 they
shall be in accordance with the existing regulations: provided, further, that members
of duly recognized teachers cooperatives may participate in the distribution and sale
of such commodities.

Discuss

"Man does not live by bread alone," says the Bible. Understandably, the professional teacher
needs money to satisfy his/her bodily need. Article X, Sec. I of the Code of Ethics allows the
teacher to "engage in legitimate income generation provided that it does not relate to or
adversely affect his work or a teacher." Section 3 also states:

No teacher shall act, directly or indirectly, as agent of, or be financially interested in any
commercial venture which furnish textbooks and other school commercial 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.

As said in the previous lessons, the teacher should live with dignity at all times and at all
places and be a model for all. So, a teacher must. . . "maintain a good reputation with respect
to financial matters such as in the settlement of his debts and loans in arranging
satisfactorily his private financial affair."

If teachers live by the principles of self-respect and self-discipline as cited in the Code of
Ethics, there will be no problem on teacher indebtedness and teachers' unfavorable
reputation of not paying their debts. If a teacher lives simply, he/she will not be that
indebted. To live simply, the professional teacher must distinguish between his needs and
wants.

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Innovate

TASK: To counter teachers' problem of indebtedness, cite proverbs (in Mother Tongue, highly
encouraged) that can serve as reminders for professional teachers not to live beyond their
means. Explain each and relate it to Article X of the Code of Ethics.

e.g.
Hangga 't makitid ang kumot, matutong mamaluktot.
"Debt is a heavy burden to an honest mind, but thievish borrowers make light of it."
"Spending is quick, earning is slow."

Assess

DIRECTIONS: Encircle the letter of the correct answer.

1. On what condition can a professional teacher engage in business?

a. Income generation is legitimate
b. Income generation is related to her/his work
c. Business includes books and school supplies
d. Adversely affects his/her work

2. Why is a teacher prohibited from direct business transactions involving textbooks and
school supplies?
a. Possibility of exerting influence for his/her own business interests
b. Her/his main task is to teach not to engage in business
c. To avoid competition
d. The Code of Ethics says so

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