SYNTHESIS OF THE ARTICLE

“A TEACHERS CODE OF ETHICS: IMPORTANCE AND IMPLICATIONS”

Everyone will pretty much agree when we say that it is important to live according to
what is right and avoid acting in a way that is wrong but then not everyone always agrees on
the what`s right and what`s wrong in any given situation. That is why we have this code of
ethics, a personal and different for each individual. It determines an individual`s response to a
particular situation and also accounts for the varied responses exhibited by different
individuals in the same situation.
This code of ethics comes to play in everyday situation that teachers experience. This
gives an idea on what and how teachers should do in a situation that is conflicting and may
create dilemma such as when an influential parent asks for special favors for his child, dealing
with impudent students or impertinent remarks, dealing with colleagues, or at any point while
performing daily duties of the job. The Code of Ethics for Professional Teachers is well-
defined that will help teachers negotiate difficult times during the life of their career. It allows
them decipher the right thing to do based on their current perspective and to take
responsibility for and stand by their decisions.
With code of ethics, teachers should make prudent and quick decisions for ethically
correct decisions should not delay for long periods of time before putting them into practice.
Teachers should realize the value of the Code of Ethics and make it as a strong foundation
because if their code of ethics is strong, they can make decisions on the spot and have the
conviction to bear the consequences. Too much hesitation takes the impact out of even the
soundest ethical decisions.
Ultimately, they way teachers respond to what they believe to be right or wrong
provides insights into their code of ethics. Teachers should have individual code of ethics that
is approximate and set guidelines for themselves based on what they think is right and
depend on these guidelines to solve dilemmas and complex educational situations. But the
most important thing is, whatever the teacher`s individual code of ethics, consider the law,
consider what is nationally accepted and consider the welfare of the learners and community.

INTRODUCTION

This Code of Ethics is important for all teachers. As public service employees, teachers
hold a special position of trust. In their respective roles, teachers exercise powers that have a
significant impact on the lives of their children and young people and consequently there is a
community expectation that these powers will be properly and prudently used.
What teachers know and do has a profound effect on the nature and quality of student
learning. Good teachers are even more important in a society that is continually changing and
developing, and in which there is increasing emphasis on the creation of knowledge and
sharing of information. Given the profession of teaching is becoming even more complex and
important, society and teachers themselves need to ensure that the professional practice of
teaching meets the highest possible standards. In achieving these standards teachers need
to be committed to their own professional learning, seeking to deepen their knowledge,
expand their teaching skills and adapt their teaching to developments in research.
The Code of Ethics is the statement of our department about the standards of
professional conduct and integrity expected of teachers for the purpose of upholding the
values and principles. It also aims to guide teachers in identifying and resolving ethical issues
which may arise in the course of their work and, in so doing, maintain pubic trust and
confidence in their integrity and professionalism.
 REACTION

Upon reading the Code of Ethics for Professional Teachers when I was in college I
realized so many things that make teaching a noble profession. That time, I was visionary,
ambitious and idealistic about my attitude and the things that I want to do when I will become
a teacher. So many things that I cannot forget that time, I am always saying on my mind that
“I will do what is right”, “I will always follow what is written on the code of ethics”, and “People
in the community will always look up on me and say it to my face that I am a righteous
teacher” and those words that I realize, helped me to become who I am today. I hold to my
promise and to my thoughts that I gonna live the code of ethics, the way it supposed to be. In
fact, it is so easy to follow what is being written there, I just have to remind myself that I am a
teacher, I am a model and I am a more than what I am thinking about myself.
Living in this profession is not really easy, which I thought before it would be as easy as
chewing a gum, but surprisingly it is not because of those teachers who are acting unethically.
People will then associate me to those kind of teachers and somethimes judging me too, well,
that is natural, I cannot blame them. The sad truth is that, all of us are rightfully informed with
our obligations and responsibility in the field before we assume the position, and together with
that torch is the knowledge about the values and character that all of us should have, but then
unfortunately not all of us coined it in our heart, not all of us approved, and not all of us lived
according to what is being expected. Some of them will betray the code, and even worst, will
deny it just to live the life the want and they enjoy but it is a great misfortune because the
nobility and greatness of the profession is degrading too because of their unethical and
immoral actions. I honestly don`t know what to do with this scenario, as the world is changing,
teachers should adopt with this changes and live with the tradition of morally, ethical and
upright society, but then it is the irony of the situation. The vision of being a good teachers,
remains as a vision because of those actions that not according to the code of ethics.
In the end, as just want to say that I am not a perfect teacher, I commit mistakes too,
but then I am opening my eyes and living with the code of ethics as my guiding principles. I
am trying my very best to follow and be a model of what is written in the Preamble of the
Code of Ethics, “Teachers are duly licensed professional who possess dignity and reputation
with high moral values..” it is demanding, but worth the price.

CONCLUSION

Teachers help students learn the academic basics, but they also teach valuable life
lessons by setting a positive example. As role models, teachers must follow a professional
code of ethics. This ensures that students receive a fair, honest and uncompromising
education. A Professional Code of Ethics outlines teachers' main responsibilities to their
students and defines their role in students' lives. Above all, teachers must demonstrate
integrity, impartiality and ethical behavior in the classroom and in their conduct with parents
and coworkers.
In the end, teachers must remember that the Code of Ethics for Professional Teachers
defines the professional behavior of educators and serves as a guide to ethical conduct. The
code defines unethical conduct justifying disciplinary sanction and provides guidance for
protecting the healt, safety and general welfare of students and educators, and assuring the
nation a degress of accountability within the education profession. Thus, for teachers to be
effective and efficient teachers, obey the Code of Ethics, for it is they way of uplifting the
profession.
 RECOMMENDATIONS

Teachers must model strong character traits such as perseverance, honesty, respect,
lawfulness, patience, fairness, responsibility and unity. As a teacher, we must treat every
student with kindness, equality and respect, with out showing favoritism, prejudice or
partiality.
Teachers must wholly commit to the teaching profession. Our classroom should
promote safety, security and acceptance, always avoiding any form of bullying, hostility,
dishonestly, neglect or offensive conduct. We must accurately describe our qualifications,
credentials and license to school boards or principals to seek to hire us.
In addition to fostering healthy relationships with students, we must build strong
relationships with parents, school staff, colleagues in the community, guidance counselors
and administrators. We must avoid gossips, including false or mean-spirited comments about
coworkers because part of the Code of Ethics requires us to cooperate with fellow teachers,
parents and administration to create an atmosphere that is conducive to learning.
 SYNTHESIS OF THE ARTICLE
“THE UNRAVELING OF K TO 12 PROGRAM AS
AN EDUCATION REFORM IN THE PHILIPPINES”

Education is a big social investment for families or parents as well as the entire nation.
We cannot afford to have good or quality education, even at least the basic level. Although
the true aim of education is to nurture human being to become truly human being, however
because of global competition, we need to educate and train our students to be part with their
counterparts in other parts of the world. And, of course, we need them to be parts or
contributors to develop our national economy.
In the context of the Philippines, it is relevance to note here that three years ago, the
incumbent President Aquino signed into law the Basic Education Act of 2013 (Republic Act
10533), or most commonly referred to as K to 12 Law. The K to 12 law mandates that all
pupils entering entering Grade 1 should have compulsory undergone kindergarten or
preschool, and the secondary level will add two more years, that is the senior high school.
Despite calls to suspend the program, the government remained firm saying their new
educational systems offers opportunities for Filipino students and the national economy. For
its part, the Department of Education stresses that the country is prepared for a big shift in
education system. In fact, it has worked to fulfill the gaps on the number of classrooms,
teachers, and textbooks and also finished the planning phase along with stakeholders.
Accordingly, everybody has stake or concern about education, and, consequently we
should listen to all the voices who are uttering their piece regarding with the K to 12 program.
There are beneficiaries of the K to 12 program, but some sectors will be drastically affected
and dislodged. We should have an open eye and listening ear to consider and integrate the
ideas and suggestions of the people.

INTRODUCTION

Restructuring the Philippine Basic Educational System through the K to 12 Program is

tough but strategic move by the government to ensure that it produces competent graduates
who can serve as the backbone for a highly skilled and employable work force.
Introduced in 2011 by the Department of Education, headed by Secretary Armin
Luistro, the K to 12 Program made Kindergarten a prerequisite to basic education. It
lengthened basic schooling to include a two-year senior high school and offered technical and
vocational courses to student not planning to go to college, thus giving them more changes of
getting employed in blue-collar work. The program replaced to 10-year basic education
curriculum, which consisted of six years in grade school and four years in high school that
concentrated on the English language and Filipino, the sciences, arithmetic and mathematics,
and the social sciences. It also incorporated these basic lessons include basic science and
technology, engineering, mathematics, accountancy, business and management, humanities
and social sciences, and general academic courses such as technical-vocational-livelihodd,
arts and design, and sports.
Prior to the implementation of the K to 12 curriculum, the Philippines was one of the
only three countries in the world and the only one in Asia that still had only 10 years in basic
education. This has always been seen as a disadvantage for our students who are competing
in an increasingly global job market. The longer educational cycle of the K to 12 curriculum is
seen as ciritcal in giving Filipino students a higher quality of education.
Change is never easy. Especially when it is a big undertaking such as the
implementation of the new K to 12 curriculum in the Philipiines. It is high time, however, that
improve the quality of our basic education and our students.

REACTION
Upon learning the K to 12 curriculum when I was still in college, I am quite confused
and resistant about this matter since I don`t fully understand its essence and purpose. But
fortunately one of our subject opened my mind regarding with this reform in the Philippine
education system and I really appreciate it. It makes me realize that, we are very fortunate for
this change, and no matter how hard it is we should accept this change because in the
government cares about our welfare and success.
When I finally got myself involve in the K to 12 curriculum, I have seen a lot of
advantages and disadvantages, it is not surprising, but is the real scenario. Before I will point
out the disadvantages of the K to 12 curriculum, let me first elaborate the advantages that this
curriculum assures to us. As a teacher, I can see great potential of this curriculum, this will
help us understand the local culture through contextualization then expand our understanding
with the world. This curriculum encourages us to consider the diversity of our learner since we
are in the multicultural education. We have to utilize differentiated instruction in order to
ensure that we are accomodating the interest, needs and talent of our children. We have
open minded and use various strategy to cope with the progressive education that this
curriculum promotes. Also, this curriculum will help our learners to become globally
competetive since we are opening our horizon through ASEAN integration. The curriculum
contains the skills and knowledge that they need in order for them to become a citizen that
can help in the nation building. It also aims that in the end they will become work ready and
college which is necessary in our ever changing society. And of course, as we try to develop
the knowledge, skills and attitudes of our learners, this curriculum will also a way for us to
enhance our capabilities and professional competence in order to become a 21 st centur
learner. Truly with this aim, this K to 12 is worth implementing.
But then, we cannot deny that as we enter with these new challenge, we have to face a
diffirent issues and problems that needs to be addressed. Undeniably, the world can see that
we are not yet ready for this change, since we have problems in terms of classrooms,
teachers, learning materials and facilities even before the implementation of the K to 12
curriculum. This problems exist long before but then solutions still don`t come in. The
solutions are still on the clouds, still hard to reach and even hard to find. As a teacher, we can
do something about this, we just have to be innovative and accept the challenges of the K to
12 program and embrace this new era. All that we can do, is to help our government
implement this with all our effort and heart. Let us not resist but rather think of the solution
that can eliminate the problem. Let us be part of this change, let us help our country, let us
improve our education because in the end, this is our country and we only have this.

CONCLUSION
The implementation of the K to 12 curriculum in the Philippine basic education is the
key to our nation`s development. Though the government faces many problems as it
implements the program