1. Topic: Ethical Dilemma in Teaching
Name:SatyaJeetSingh
Langauges Teacher
Discipline:English/hindi
2. Background Information
Sometimes involvement of a teacher in student’s problems may be considered as an
unethical decision but when it leads to the betterment of the student then it is wise for
a teacher to interfere personally in saving the future of the student. It can be hard for a
teacher to watch a student going through family problems at home. The level of
involvement the teacher takes in the personal lives of students can be an ethical
dilemma. Depending on the situation, some students would prefer to deal with it on
their own; others may crave intervention. If a teacher intervenes inappropriately, this
can make the situation worse for the student. Abuse at home should always be taken
seriously.
According to the feedbacks received from some of the trainees from Fiji National
University, most teachers are not able to make a properdecision which is a major
disadvantage in their teaching career. They should consider the background of the
student and try to give a fair judgment. If a teacher has got the help of a trainee the
he/she should try and motivate the trainee to make proper judgments regarding a
student. Also it is important for the teachers to inform their superiors if they have to
interfere in a student’s personal life for his/her own good. However, there are times
when teachers may face the dilemma of facing of whether to tell about the problem to
their superiors or not because sometimes it also matters about a confidentiality of a
particular issue. If certain issues are not maintained confidential, one can lose the trust
3. of the other personwho had placed trust on you. On the other hand, not informing
your superiors about a particular issue will be the violation of teacher’s codeof ethics.
Professionals like me do not agree with the fact that teachers cannot interfere in the
personal life of the students. Though I may have regretted for a while involving
myself in the personal life of a student but I will always be happy that I helped a
student.
INTRODUCTION
Teaching is a responsible professiondedicated to society, students, community and
nation. It is the teachers who take the responsibility to make future of students bright
and ensure that they becomea good citizen. It is said that if we want to improve or
make someone learn, we have to adhere to specific rules and regulations we are going
to set for our students and if we do not follow those ethical standards ourselves which
is also considered unethical, then for no reason the students will follow us. Sometimes
teachers are a perfect model for students in schoolbut teachers know themselves that
they have to face some ethical issues or ethical dilemma in their career. Ethical
dilemma/issues can be like following the instructions of HOD to fill some sort of
report at the earliest in a particular period or teach students. If we do not fill the report
then the matter would be reported to the principle or if we do not teach students in a
particular period then again the matter would be reported to principle. This can be a
good example of ethical dilemma in a schoolthat confuses a teacher on what
instruction to follow. Sometimes a wrong decision can take the teacher nowhere.
Ethical issues like these not only takes place in schoolbut also at home. A student
who is facing problems such as argument between parents sometimes can become a
very disheartened situation for students. They can also become very silent and may
not participate in schoolwork. A teacher knows about this problem but may have
qualms on whether to talk to the parents or not just because it is their family problem
4. or should he interfere because it is for the future of the student. Another question that
may rise in the mind of the teacher is that getting into the problems of others is
appropriate or not? These are some of the ethical issues or ethical dilemma faced by
teachers and in schools.
Education is an ongoing process.However, in the process ofreceiving and giving
education several ethical issues arise in a teacher’s career. Issues like accepting gifts,
favoritism, taking class when students are unprepared have to take further lessons, etc.
Some of these issues do create dilemmas for teachers and these are the basic reasons
as to why some teachers are called unethical teachers.
Sometimes involvement of a teacher in student’s problems may be considered an
unethical decision but when it leads to the betterment of the student then it is wise for
a teacher to interfere personally in saving the future of the student. It can be hard for a
teacher to watch a student going through family problems at home. The level of
involvement the teacher takes in the personal lives of students can be an ethical
dilemma. Depending on the situation, some students would prefer to deal with it on
their own; others may crave intervention. If a teacher intervenes inappropriately, this
can make the situation worse for the student. Abuse at home should always be taken
seriously.
5. Progress(case study)
This incident occurred in a schoolwhere I was a trainee teacher. I had a student who
was brilliant in studies. At one point of time I realized that the student no longer did
the homework and was stressed with a particular issue. Upon investigating I found out
that the student owed some fees to the schooland was unable to pay. When I asked the
student it was revealed that the form teacher scolded her because she was unable to
pay the fees just becauseher parents were divorced and it was very hard for the
mother to afford the schoolfees and on top of that the form teacher scolded her for not
paying the schoolfees. Seeing the tears from the eyes of the student, I was forced to
ask about the matter to the form teacher and in return I got a good scolding from the
form teacher and my Assistant Teacher to concentrate in my work and not to
concentrate on the sentiments of the student. As a teacher I was faced with the
dilemma on whether to report the matter to the principal and involve myself or as a
trainee ask for forgiveness from the teachers and try to solve the matter on my own as
a junior teacher.
6. As I believed in the fact that a teacher is a personwho helps a student in any way
he/she could. I knew that being a trainee, involving myself in the life of a student
would lend me in a soup. However, I went the student’s house and gave the money
(fees) to the mother from my PSC allowance to pay for her daughter’s fees. When the
student paid the fees the form teacher asked about the fees and my name cropped up.
Again I was scolded for involving myself in the life of a student. I asked for
forgiveness but I was taken to Assistant Principal for further actions to be taken. After
investigating the matter, I was praised by the AP for helping the student but also
warned not to get involved in the personallife of a student on my own but inform the
higher authorities first. Apparently, my money was returned to me and Assistant
Principle insisted that since I was a trainee, I need not to sacrifice my money and she
will pay the fees herself.
Results
“If kids come to us [teachers] from strong, healthy functioning families, it makes our
job easier. If they do not come to us from strong, healthy, functioning families, it
makes our job more important.” (Barbara Colorose). It is important for a teacher to
fulfill all the responsibilities of a teacher towards the students. The described incident
which occurred in my practicum was a great and valuable experience for me in many
ways. I learnt lot of things as a trainee teacher. Firstly, Teachers must honour human
dignity, emotional wellness and cognitive development. This particular duty of care
towards the student had a great impact on me as teacher as I got learn this from the
form teacher towards the student. A teacher should indeed respectthe emotions of
students and must develop the thinking about the impact of harsh attitudes on the
cognitive development and affective side of the students. Secondly, in schoolsystem
it is not bad to help a student but if it requires your involvement personally then at
least higher authorities of the schoolshould be informed. Thirdly, ethical issues in
schoolsuch as criticizing the students for some reason does not lead to any good
conclusion or decision. Fourthly, Teachers in schoolexpress their commitment to
student’s well-being and learning through positive influence, professionaljudgment
and empathy in practice. Lastly, Teachers in schoolshould express their commitment
to student’s well-being and learning through positive influence, professional judgment
7. and empathy in practice. It was evident from my experience itself that I followed my
duty of care ensuring the student’s well-being as a teacher; I fulfilled my
responsibility as a professionalwho was able to help a student on the basis of teacher
training. Though it is true that I had violated the rules of schoolsystem for not telling
the higher authorities but the decision of mine can be considered ethical because I
delivered proper judgment to the problems of the student because it is the duty of a
teacher to ensure that each student in schoolis in a happy learning environment. This
decision of mine also had a positive influence on the Assistant Principle and other
teachers as well.
Conclusion
Some decisions may create a dilemma for teachers but they should help a student if it
is for the better future of a student. The reason behind this is firstly, teachers are role
models for students and follow the codeof ethics to ensure that students in happy
environment to learn and properjudgments must be made regarding any issue in
schools and is well accepted by others.
“Whatever a teacher does, the students will always follow it.” (D, Nandini,
Pers.comm). The given statement really applies to the schoolnowadays. If teachers do
fair and ethical judgments in school, then the students will learn and will also make
effective, fair and acceptable decisions in life.
Therefore, teachers must also be ethical in portraying such roles that display ethical
conduct, fair judgment and does not disturb ongoing learning process in a classroom
or school.
8. Reference
1. Search Quotes. (2014) Retrieved on October 28, 2014, from
http://www.searchquotes.com/search/Teachers_Ethics/
2. Code of Conduct. (2014). Retrieved on October 28, 2014, from Public
Service Commision : http://www.psc.gov.fj/
3. Ethical Standards. (2014). Retrieved on October 23, 2013, from
Ontario college of teachers: http://www.oct.ca/public/professional-
standards/ethical-standards
4. Clark, J. (2004): New Zealand Journal of Teachers’ work, The Ethics
of Teaching and the Teaching of Ethics.
9. 5. Lecture Notes, Ethics in Education.
6. D.Nandini.Fiji National University Student, personal communication,
October 27, 2014.
