Republic of the Philippines

University of the Philippines

Catarman N. Samar

College of Education


I. Introduction
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, standards, and
values. This paper discusses about the code of ethics in which teachers hold on
to.
Specifically, it talks about the ethics and moral responsibilities of a
teacher. These are the standards for the practice of the teaching profession.
Topics to be conferred are the teacher and the State, the profession, the
teaching community, higher authority in the Philippines, school officials, teachers
and other personnel, the teacher and learners, the teacher and parents, the
teacher and business, as a person, and the disciplinary actions.
Methodology to be used in the presentation of the paper will be classroom
discussion. Articles and additional information are taken from books and the
internet.
II. Discussion
Every teacher has a right to practice their profession. With this right comes
an even greater responsibility of keeping the profession noble, looking up for the
welfare of the learners and the community and adhering to the values and
standards of the State. The cultural and educational heritage of our nation is in
the hands of our teachers. It is their obligation to transmit to the learners such
heritage as well as to elevate national morality, promote national pride, cultivate
love of country, instill allegiance to the Constitution, and promote obedience to
the laws of the State.
Teachers open the door to the world of knowledge. They inculcate into the
minds and hearts of the learners the love and respect for our country. In as early
as preschool, they mold our children into quality citizens of the country. They are
given the hard task of creating love and devotion for our nation by teaching us
respect and commitment.
It is in the acts of the teacher that he/she is admired and respected.
He/she helps create a learning environment conducive for learning; safe and
sanitary, far from negative influences and danger. The teacher keeps order and
peace in the community and provides leadership for moral, social, educational,
economic and civic betterment. Not only that, a teachers actions must help
insure that the teaching profession is the noblest profession. He/she must avoid
acts to which would taint the teaching profession like misrepresentations and
improper acts, instead, he/she should pursue other studies that would improve
his/her efficiency, enhance the prestige of the profession, and strengthen his
competence, virtues, and productivity in order to be nationally and internationally
competitive.
A teacher must be imbued with the spirit of professional loyalty, mutual
confidence, and faith in one another, self-scarifies 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. He/she must not make false accusations against superiors, especially
under anonymity; however, he/she should present such under oath to competent
authorities if there are valid charges.
School officials, teachers, and other school personnel shall consider it
their cooperative responsibility to formulate important changes in the system at
all levels. They must put into consideration the welfare of the learners as well as
the institution. Also, the teacher must recognize the interest and well-being of the
learners before his/her own and shall handle the learner justly and impartial.
Since teachers are with the learners from morning until the afternoon, they
must be able to establish and maintain a pleasant relationship with the learners
parents and be able to gain their confidence and respect by insuring conditions
that contribute to the maximum development of the learners and extend
assistance in preventing or solving the learners problems and difficulties.
Teachers, like any other human being, have needs to be satisfied and are
sometimes financially challenged in procuring them. They resort to financial
institutions. Despite this, teachers should maintain a good reputation with respect
to financial matters such as settlement of his/her just debts, loans and other
financial affairs. Also, as a person, a teacher shall maintain at all times a dignified
personality which could serve as a model worthy of emulation by learners, peers,
and others.
Any violation of any provision of his/her Code shall be sufficient ground for
the imposition against erring teacher of disciplinary action consisting of
revocation of his Certificate of Registration and License as a Professional
Teacher, suspension from the practice of the teaching profession, 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. No. 7836. (Sec. 1, Article XII)
III. Summary
The teaching profession is an occupation that most people think is the
easiest thing to do. Little do they know that it does not start and end in the
classroom, instead, it extends to the community. It is the teacher that keeps the
learners safe and educated. It is also them that cater to the needs of not just the
learners but also the society. They are the ones who instill the sense of respect
and pride for the nation. It is in their hands that the future of not only our children
but of the whole State is under; teaching the young minds for a better nation, a
better tomorrow.
Teachers must follow certain codes of ethics in order to keep them, their
name, and the teaching profession clean and noble. A stained reputation of a
teacher affects not only him but the whole (teaching) community as well.
Teaching morals and values should start from ones self in order to teach them to
others. Teaching good morals and values is a good teacher, having good morals
and values is a better teacher.
IV. References
Bilbao, Corpuz, et. al, The Teaching Profession, Lorimar Publishing Co.,
Inc., Manila, 2006
Code of Ethics for Professional Teachers,
http://sweetlhen2008.wordpress.com/2011/06/10/code-of-ethics-for-
professional-teachers/, (retrieved: July 1, 2014)
Code of Ethics for Professional Teachers
teachercodes.iiep.unesco.org/teachercodes/codes/Asia/Philippines.
pdf, (retrieved: July 1, 2014)

Republic of the Philippines
University of the Philippines
Catarman N. Samar

College of Education


I. Introduction
Cases of child abuse in schools have been reported in print and broadcast
media. These constitute professional malpractice and violation of the standards
and the Code of Ethics of the profession. Society demands that the teacher uses
his/her best professional judgment to produce desired results in the learning
environment just as it asks the physician to use his best professional judgment
in deciding what medical regiment to prescribe. This paper is about excerpts
from The Family Code of the Philippines.
Specifically, it discusses about parental authority of the teacher to the
students, the effects of parental authority upon the persons of the children,
property of the children and the suspension or termination of parental authority
Methodology to be used in the presentation of the paper will be classroom
discussion. Articles and additional information are taken from books and the
internet.
II. Discussion
Pursuant to the natural right and duty of parents over the person
and property of their unemancipated children, parental authority and
responsibility shall include the caring for and rearing them for civic
consciousness and efficiency and the development of their moral,
mental and physical character and well-being. Parents are the first
teachers of a child. Before a child is able to go to school, parents are the ones
who teach the child what is right and wrong and the morals that build a good
character.
When a child goes to school, the teacher now acts not only as an
instructor but as a parent as well. The school, its administrators and teachers, or
the individual, entity or institution engaged in child are shall have special parental
authority and responsibility over the minor child while under their supervision,
instruction or custody.
Authority and responsibility shall apply to all authorized activities whether
inside or outside the premises of the school, entity or institution. Despite being in
or out of the school premises, the teacher still has that responsibility of being a
parent to the child. The parents, judicial guardians or the persons exercising
substitute parental authority over a minor shall be subsidiary liable.
Those exercising parental authority, the teacher, shall have the following
rights and duties:
1. To keep them in their company, to support, educate and instruct
them by right precept and good example, and to provide for their
upbringing in keeping with their means.
2. To give them love and affection, advice and counsel,
companionship and understanding.
3. To provide them with moral and spiritual guidance, inculcate in
them honesty, integrity, self-discipline, self-reliance, industry and
thrift, stimulate their interest in civic affairs, and inspire in them
compliance with the duties of citizenship.
4. To furnish them with good and wholesome educational materials,
supervise their activities, recreation and association with others,
protect them from bad company, and prevent them from
acquiring habits detrimental to their health, studies and morals.
5. To represent them in all matters affecting their interests.
6. To demand from them respect and obedience.
7. To impose discipline on them as may be required under the
circumstances.
8. To perform such other duties as are imposed by law upon
parents and guardians.
In no case shall the school administrator, teacher of individual engaged in
child care exercising special parental authority inflict corporal punishment upon
the child. Discipline can be attained by teaching the child what is right from wrong
and correcting the wrong-doings by guidance and not by punishment. Praising a
child of his/her achievements is a form of discipline in which the parental
authority is rewarding the positive actions with positive rewards.
III. Summary
Being an instructor and a mentor is just a part of being a teacher. Being a
second parent to the number of children under his/her care is one of the
challenging roles a teacher must portray to be the best in his/her profession.
They are liable for the damages, injuries, and things that will happen to the
learners. They must ensure not only knowledge but also the safety and welfare of
the students.
IV. References
Bilbao, Corpuz, et. al, The Teaching Profession, Lorimar Publishing Co.,
Inc., Manila, 2006
The Family Code of the Philippines: Executive Order No. 209
http://www.chanrobles.com/executiveorderno209.htm, (retrieved:
July 1, 2014)