Draft Code of Professional Ethics for School Teachers Preface and Chapter 1

National Council for Teacher Education, Wing – II, Hans Bhawan,

1, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi- 110002

December, 2010

C O N T E N T S

Preface

Chapter 1 Code of Professional Ethics for School Teachers

Chapter 2 Observance of the Code

Chapter 3 Explanatory Notes

Annexures

 (i) Constitution of the Committee for developing Code of  Professional Ethics for Teachers

(ii) Teacher’s Oath

Preface

In pursuance of the recommendations of the National Policy on Education (NPE),

1986/1992, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) in

collaboration with the All India Primary Teachers Federation (AIPTF), All India

Secondary Teachers Federation (AISTF) and All India Federation of Educational

Associations (AIFEA) had developed, for the first time, a Code of Professional Ethics for

Teachers, in 1997. Recognizing the need for revising the Code of Professional Ethics

for School Teachers, the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) appointed a

Committee comprising Prof. A.K. Sharma, former Director, NCERT, Prof. G.L. Arora,

former Head Department of Teacher Education and Extension, NCERT, Prof. Pranati

Panda, National University of Educational Planning and Administration and Prof. Najma

Amin, Jamia Millia Islamia.

The Committee constituted by the NCTE reviewed this Code keeping in view the

context of the relevant sections of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory

Education (RTE) Act 2009 and also examined the Codes of Professional Ethics

currently in use in some other countries. The draft Code prepared by the NCTE

Committee was shared with the representatives of State Education Departments, All

India Federations of Primary and Secondary Teachers organizations and UNESCO, and

senior officials of the Ministry of HRD, educational administrators and experts in a

National Seminar. It was also put on the website of NCTE inviting comments and

suggestions from the stakeholders in school education. Valuable suggestions received

online and in the seminar have been duly considered while finalizing this document.

Ideally, the Code of Professional Ethics should be prepared by the professional

organizations of teachers themselves as it is their responsibility to ensure its

observance as a self-imposed discipline on the part of their members. The NCTE has

prepared this document as a facilitative mechanism for professional bodies of teachers

to use it as a template for discussion amongst them, make any amendments, if

necessary, and adopt it to give dignity to their profession.

The present document comprises three chapters. The Code of Professional

Ethics is given in Chapter 1, a mechanism for its observance is suggested in Chapter 2,

Explanatory Notes on different articles of the Code are given in Chapter 3. The

Explanatory Notes have been included to facilitate better understanding by the teachers

of the provisions contained in the Code.

I am grateful to the members of the Committee for sparing their time and giving

us the benefit of their long experience in the field. I am also thankful to the

representatives of Teacher organizations for their whole hearted cooperation in this

endeavour which has the potential to raise the status of the teaching profession.

NEW DELHI, ______December, 2010

Prof. Mohd. Akhtar Siddiqui

Chairperson, NCTE

Chapter 1

Code of Professional Ethics for School Teachers

Introduction

It is universally felt that like all other professions, the teaching profession should

also have its own Code of Professional Ethics which indeed is a pre-requisite to ensure

its dignity and integrity. It is also significant that the Right of Children to Free and

Compulsory Education Act, 2009 entrusts teachers with some onerous professional

responsibilities to be internalized by them in the performance of their duties.

Accordingly, it is considered necessary that the Code of Professional Ethics be evolved

and adopted by the teaching community.

For the purpose of this Code, the term “teacher” covers all school teachers,

whether in government or private schools, on full-time or part-time basis, at the

elementary and secondary levels and the teachers holding administrative and

supervisory positions

The Code of Professional Ethics for teachers provides a framework of principles

to guide them in discharging their obligations towards students, parents, colleagues and

community. Increased awareness of the ethical principles governing the teaching

profession is essential to ensure ‘professionalism’ among teachers.

Preamble

— Recognizing that every child has a fundamental right to education of good

quality;

— Re cognizing that every child has an inherent potential and talent;

— Recognizing that education should be directed to the all round development of

the human personality;

— Recognizing the need for developing faith in the guiding principles of our polity,

viz., democracy, social justice and secularism;

— Recognizing the need to promote through education the concept of composite

culture of India and a sense of national identity;

— Recognizing that teachers, being an integral part of the social milieu, share the

needs and aspirations of the people;

— Recognizing the need to enhance self-esteem of teachers;

— Recognizing the need to organize teaching as a profession for which expert

knowledge, specialized skills and dedication are pre-requisites;

— Recognizing that the community respect and support for the teachers are

dependent on the teachers’ professionalism; and

— Recognizing the need for self-direction and self-discipline among members of the

teaching community,

the present Code of Professional Ethics for school teachers is an attempt

to provide direction and guidance to the teachers in enhancing the dignity

of their professional work.

1. Obligations towards Students

1.1 Treats all students with love and affection.

1.2 Respects the value of being just and impartial to all students irrespective

of their caste, creed, religion, sex, economic status, disability, language

and place of birth.

1.3 Facilitates students’ physical, social, intellectual, emotional, and moral

development.

1.4 Respects basic human dignity of the child in all aspects of school life.

1.5 Makes planned and systematic efforts to facilitate the child to actualize

his/her potential and talent.

1.6 Transacts the curriculum in conformity with the values enshrined in the

Constitution of India.

1.7 Adapts his/her teaching to the individual needs of students.

1.8 Maintains the confidentiality of the information concerning students and

dispenses such information only to those who are legitimately entitled to it.

1.9 Refrains from subjecting any child to fear, trauma, anxiety, physical

punishment, sexual abuse, and mental and emotional harassment.

1.10 Keeps a dignified demeanour commensurate with the expectations from a

teacher as a role model.

2. Obligations towards Parents, Community and Society

2.1 Establishes a relationship of trust with parents/guardians in the interest of

all round development of students.

2.2 Desists from doing any thing which is derogatory to the respect of the child

or his/her parents/guardians.

2.3 Strives to develop respect for the composite culture of India among

students.

2.4 Keeps the country uppermost in mind, refrains from taking part in such

activities as may spread feelings of hatred or enmity among different

communities, religious or linguistic groups.

3. Obligations towards the Profession and Colleagues

3.1 Strives for his/her continuous professional development.

3.2 Creates a culture that encourages purposeful collaboration and

dialogue among colleagues and stakeholders.

3.3 Takes pride in the teaching profession and treats other members of the

profession with respect and dignity.

3.4 Refrains from engaging himself/herself in private tuition or private

teaching activity.

3.5 Refrains from accepting any gift, or favour that might impair or

appear to influence professional decisions or actions.

3.6 Refrains from making unsubstantiated allegations against colleagues or

higher authorities.

3.7 Avoids making derogatory statements about colleagues, especially in the

presence of pupils, other teachers, officials or parents.

3.8 Respects the professional standing and opinions of his/her colleagues.

3.9 . Maintains confidentiality of information concerning colleagues and

dispenses such information only when authorized to do so.