Module 3: Socially Responsible Teachers:

Moral and Ethical

Expectations:
At the end of the topic, the students are expected to:
1. gain comprehensive understanding of the Code of Ethics for Professional Teachers;
2. value the importance of being socially responsible and ethical teachers;
3. apply the Code of Ethics for Professional Teachers in given situations.

Engagement:

Direction: Write your ideas or understanding about ethics in the semantic web.

Exploration:

Teaching is a human and moral relationship. It involves interaction between and among pupils,
parents, colleagues, and school officials.
To maintain cordial and harmonious relationship with the clientele, teachers must develop
awareness and sensitivity to the Code of Ethics which underpins the standards of conduct in the
profession.
The role of the teachers is to educate. They create and control the learning process. They
encourage participation and interaction of students in the acquisition of knowledge, skills, and values
needed to prepare them for their roles in society.
To achieve their objectives, teachers need to manage the classroom effectively. This calls for the
teachers’ skill in establishing healthy relationship with the students. They need to explore the rights,
duties and moral principles embodied in the Ethical Standards for Teachers to maintain their trust and
respect. This calls for their awareness and commitment to the moral and ethical dimensions of teaching
embodied with the Code of Ethics for Professional Teachers.

THE TEACHING PROFESSION

 This chapter will explore the provisions of the Code of Ethics for Professional Teachers to ensure
that every member of the teaching profession takes cognizance and adheres to its principles.
At the end of the chapter, situations will be given to you for decision-making as an ethically and morally
virtuous professional teachers.
Morals and ethics are often used interchangeably but they almost mean the same.
Ethics refers to the system of principles of conducts that guide the behavior of a person. It is
concerned with individual character like being a “good person”. It is also concerned with the character
of an entire society, culture or profession.
Morals are values related to a system of beliefs – religious system, business or political system.
These values get their authority from outside or higher authority. Moral values include honesty, integrity,
compassion, courage, honor, responsibility, patriotism, respect and fairness.
Morality refers to a subset of ethical rules of special importance. It is a guide to behavior for
individuals who want to govern the behavior of others. Moral rulews are often the basis for the rules of
society. These are expected to be obeyed by all its members.
Ethics or morality studies the “good” and “bad” of human behavior, thoughts and feelings. It
analyzes how man should treat others as well as himself.
Ethics is about actions and decisions. A person acts in accordance with his values. A person who
behaves according to the core values he upholds, is said to be acting ethically.
Morality may be divided into three stages:
Morality of self-interest which is characterized by doing the act or the behavior to gain rewards
or avoid punishment. In other words, it is the reward or punishment consequences that guide people’
action.
Morality of law and social rules apply when the action ar behavior of the individual is determined
by the rule and authority, meaning peoples’ action are motivated by obedience and respect for law. They
also aim to gain approval and avoid disapproval of their behavior.
Morality of abstract principles are exhibited by people who assume personal responsibility in
their behavior. People who have reached this level no longer aim for approval or disapproval of their
action. Their behavior is guided by their ethical principles and moral values.
In the discharge of their duties as professional teachers they have to conform to certain ethical
standards: set out by the Teaching Council. These standards guide the teachers in the performance of
their function, these also safeguard the rights of the professionals and enhance the goal of their work.
Respect
Teachers need to demonstrate respect for spiritual and cultural values, diversity, social justice,
freedom, and democracy. This is in relation to their role to address and promote human dignity.
Integrity
Teachers are persons of integrity. This means being honest, reliable and morally upright. They
should be true to their commitment and responsibilities as teachers.
Care
Being the second parents of the students, teachers should take the best interest of the students
as their credo. These students have been entrusted to them and therefore should be treated with love,
care and compassion. They should provide a caring commitment where the students would feel valued
and accepted. Teachers should show positive influence and empathy when dealing with the students.
These will strengthen the bond between teacher and student.
Trust
Trust is the foundation of strong relationship. Trust mean being fair, honest, and being open to
people. Trust begets trust; teachers should show they believe and trust their students. Consequently,
the teachers earn their trust and respect for them.

THE TEACHING PROFESSION

CODE OF ETHICS FOR PROFESSIONAL TEACHERS
Ethical codes help ensure the members of the profession will deal justly with the public. It is
viewed as the hallmark of professional maturity. It is also provides guidance for the professionals on
decision-making.
Below is the Code of Ethics for professional Teachers. Analyze each provision and learn it by
heart to guide you in decision-making as a professional.

CODE OF ETHICS

Resolution No. 435

Series of 1997
Pursuant to the provision of Paragraph C, Article II, of R.A. No. 7836, otherwise known as the
“Philippine Teachers Professionalization Act of 1994” and Paragraph (a), Section 6. , P.D. No.223 as
amended, the Board for Professional Teachers hereby adopts and promulgates the following “Code of
Ethics for Professional Teachers”.

PREAMBLE
Teachers are duly licensed professional who possesses dignity and reputation with high moral
values as well as technical and professional competence in the practice of their noble profession, and
they strictly adhere to, observe, and practice this set of ethical and moral principles, standards, and
values.

ARTICLE I
SCOPE AND LIMITATION
Section 1. The Philippine Constitution provides that all educational institution shall offer quality education
for all competent teachers. Committed to its full realization, the provision of this Code shall apply,
therefore, to all teachers in schools in the Philippines.

Section 2. This Code covers all public and private school teachers in all educational teachers institution
at the preschool, primary, elementary, and secondary levels whether academic, vocational, special,
technical, or non-formal. The term “teacher” shall include industrial arts or vocational teachers and all
other person performing supervisory and/ or administrative functions in all school at the aforesaid levels,
whether on full time or part-time basis.

ARTICLE II
THE TEACHER AND THE STATE
Section 1. The schools are the nurseries of the future citizens of the state; each teacher is a trustee of
the cultural and educational heritage of the nation and is under obligation to transmit learners such
heritage as well as to elevate national morality, promote national pride, cultivate love of country, instill
allegiance to the constitution and for all duly constituted authorities, and promote obedience to the laws
of 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 as of his own, every teacher shall be
physically, mentally and morally fit.

Section 4. Every teacher shall possess and actualize a full commitment and devotion to duty.

THE TEACHING PROFESSION

Section 5. A teacher shall not engage in the promotion of any political, religious, or the partisan interest,
and shall not, directly or indirectly, solicit, require, collect, or receive any money or service or other
valuable material from any person or entity for such purposes.

Section 6. Every teacher shall vote and shall exercise all other constitutional rights and responsibility.

Section 7. A teacher shall not use his position or official authority or influence to coerce any other person
to follow any political course of action.

Section 8. Every teacher shall enjoy academic freedom and shall have privilege of expounding the
product of his researches and investigations; provided that, if the results are inimical to the declared
policies of the State, they shall brought to the proper authorities for appropriate remedial 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 best service by providing and 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.

Section 3. Every teacher shall merit reasonable social recognition for which purpose shall behave with
honor and dignity at all times and refrain from such activities as gambling, smoking, drunkenness, and
other excesses, much less elicit relations.

Section 4. Every teacher shall live for and with the community and shall, therefore, study and understand
local customs and traditions in order to have sympathetic attitude, therefore, refrain from disparaging
the community.

Section 5. Every teacher shall help the school keep the people in the community informed about the
school’s work and accomplishment as well as its needs and problems.

Section 6. Every teacher is 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 involved in matters affecting the welfare of the people.

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.

ARTICLE IV
THE TEACHER AND THE PROFESSION
Section 1. Every teacher shall actively ensure 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
professions.

THE TEACHING 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.

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 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 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
files without permission.

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. 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, shall all qualified
candidates are given the opportunity to be considered.

ARTICLE VI
THE TEACHER AND THE HIGHER AUTHORITIES
IN THE PHILIPPINES
Section 1. Every teachers 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 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.

THE TEACHING PROFESSION

Section 3. The 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 the extent possible, shall raise grievances within acceptable democratic
process. In doing so, they shall avoid jeopardizing the interest and the welfare of learners whose right to
learn must be respected.

Section 5. Every teacher has the right to invoke the principles that appointments, promotions, and
transfer 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 employment terms and conditions.

ARTICLE VII
SCHOOL OFFICIALS, TEACHERS,
AND OTHER PERSONNEL
Section 1. All 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 directions.

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.

Section 3. School official shall encourage and attend 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 officials shall dismiss or recommend for dismissal a teacher or other subordinates
except for cause.

Section 5. School authorities concern 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 than they are duly registered and licensed
professional teachers.

. ARTICLE VIII
THE TEACHERS AND LEARNERS
Section 1. The teacher has the right and duty to determine the academic marks and the promotions of
learners in the subject or grades he handles, provided that 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, observing due process.

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 or discriminate against a learner.

THE TEACHING PROFESSION

Section 4. A teacher shall not accept favors or gifts from learners, their parents or other in their behalf
in exchange for requested concessions, especially if underserved

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

Section 6. Teacher shall base the evaluation of the learner’s work only in merit and quality 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 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.

ARTICLE IX
THE TEACHER AND PARENTS
Section 1. Every teacher shall establish and maintain cordial relations with parents, and shall conduct
himself to merit their confidence and respect.

Section 2. Every teacher shall inform parents through proper authorities, of the progress and deficiencies
of learners under him, exercising utmost candor and tact in pointing out the 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.

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 affair.

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 can be exercise official influence, except only when his assignment is inherently, related to such
purchase and disposal; provided that they shall be in accordance with the existing regulations; provided,
further, that members of duly recognized teachers’ cooperative may participate in the distribution and
sale of such commodities.

THE TEACHING PROFESSION

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

ARTICLE XII
DISCIPLINARY ACTION
Section 1. Any violation of any provision of this Code shall be sufficient ground for the imposition against
the erring teacher of the disciplinary action consisting of revocation of his Certification of Registration
and License as a Professional Teacher, suspension from the practice of teaching profession, or reprimand,
or cancellation of his temporary/special permit under causes specified in Sec. 23, Article III or R.A. No.
7836, and under Rule 31, Article VIII, of the Rules and Regulations Implementing R.A. 7836.

ARTICLE XIII
EFFECTIVITY
Section 1. This Code shall take effect upon approval 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

References:

Bilbao, Purita P, Corpus, Brenda B., Llagas, Avelina T., Salandanan, Gloria G. ( 2018) The Teaching
Profession. Lorimar Publishing, Inc.
Pawelin, Greg T. (2016) The Teaching Profession Passion and Mission. Rex Book Store
Lim, Lourdes S., Caubic, Rosalina A., Casihan, Luvimi L. (2014). The Teaching Profession. Adriana
Publishing Co., Inc.

THE TEACHING PROFESSION