6. 3-Step EthicalDecision-Making
9. Final Thoughts & Q&A
8. Building an Ethical School Culture
4. Core Ethical Principles
3. Why Ethics Matter in Schools
7. Code of Conduct Highlights
5. Common Ethical Challenges at School
Contents
1. Purpose of Today’s Workshop
2. Our Vision & Mission (BMSS)
Understand what
professional ethics
meanin a school
context
Reinforce our shared
values and
expectations
Strengthen our
professional culture
Purpose of Today’s Workshop
Address common
ethical challenges
Values That Builda School
Culture
🌳 Activity: 'Build Our School Tree'
1
Core Value Writing
Write one core value on a paper leaf.
2
Leaf Attachment
Stick your leaf on the wall-sized tree.
3
Tree Growth
Our tree will grow, reflecting our common values.
Vision, Mission andEthics
VISION
• Realizing your dreams
MISSION
• Inclusive, student-centric,
world-class education grounded
in cultural values
ETHICS
• Help us live this mission daily
Law
Definition: Formalrules enacted by a governing
authority (e.g., government, school board, legislative
body) that are enforceable by penalties.
Enforcement: Legal consequences (e.g., fines, prison,
civil damages, termination of employment).
Focus: Sets the minimum standard of acceptable
conduct. What you must or must not do.
12.
Morals
Definition: Aset of principles and
standards of conduct adopted by
a profession or organization (like
a school). They guide behavior
towards what is considered right
and good within that specific
context.
Focus: What you should do to
uphold professional values
and build trust, even if not
legally mandated.
Enforcement: Professional
consequences (e.g., disciplinary
action, damage to reputation,
loss of professional
standing/trust).
13.
Ethics
Definition: Personalbeliefs and values
about what is right or wrong, good or
bad, often influenced by upbringing,
culture, religion, and individual
experiences.
Focus: Your personal compass. What
you believe is inherently right or wrong.
Enforcement: Internal (guilt, pride) or
social (social ostracization, personal
satisfaction).
14.
Aspect Law MoralsProfessional Ethics
Definition Rules enforced by government
Personal beliefs about
right/wrong
Standards for behavior in a
profession
Source Constitution, legislation Religion, family, culture
Code of conduct by professional
bodies
Obligatory? Yes — legal consequences No — personal choice Yes — for job integrity
Example Stealing is illegal
Helping the poor out of
compassion
A teacher not leaking exam
papers
Who Decides? Government/parliament Individual/family
Professional organization (e.g.,
medical board, school)
Punishment if Broken? Jail, fine, legal action Guilt, internal conflict Job loss, license revocation
Real-Life Example
Not paying taxes can land you in
jail
Donating secretly to a needy
family
A lawyer keeping client info
confidential
15.
Identify
Legally, you areprohibited from publicly disclosing a
student's private academic record or medical
information. Doing so can result in legal action or job
termination
Professionally, you are expected to maintain strict
confidentiality regarding all sensitive student, staff,
and school information. This builds trust and ensures a
safe environment, even for information not explicitly
covered by law (e.g., private conversations).
You personally believe it is inherently wrong to gossip
or spread private information about anyone,
reinforcing your ethical commitment to confidentiality
LAW
ETHICS
MORALS
16.
Role models for
students
Builda safe,
respectful
environment
Uphold school
reputation and
culture
Everyday decisions
shape young lives
YOU!
Why Ethics Matter in Schools?
Ethics Bingo: TheEveryday Choices We Make
• ✅ Step 1: Grab your Ethics Bingo card (handout or onscreen)
• ✅ Step 2: Mark all the boxes that apply to YOU
• ✅ Step 3: Pair up and compare cards
• 🔄 Discuss: Who has the most marked? Which was the hardest
to do? Most rewarding?
19.
Ethics Bingo Card
✔Reported a concern
respectfully
✔ Helped a colleague
without being asked
✔ Kept a student’s
confidence
✔ Refused to gossip ✔ Used official channels
to raise an issue
✔ Admitted a mistake
honestly
✔ Gave fair feedback ✔ Arrived on time every
day
✔ Stayed calm under
pressure
✔ Encouraged ethical talk
in team
✔ Supported a team
decision
✔ Asked before sharing
info
✔ Followed the dress
code
✔ Declined a task outside
my role
✔ Shared a good idea
respectfully
✔ Stood up for someone ✔ Didn’t post work
content online
✔ Said 'no' to peer
pressure
✔ Gave credit where due
✔ Took accountability
quickly
✔ Explained a tough
decision kindly
✔ Respected digital
boundaries
✔ Chose not to retaliate ✔ Resolved conflict
maturely
Public criticism of
managementUnprofessional
dress or lateness
Disrespectful
communication
Stepping
outside job
roles
Inappropriate social
media use
Common Ethical
Challenges at School
22.
Stepping outside jobroles
If everyone becomes the driver, who will steer the bus?
23.
Non-verbal
communication Gossip &passive
aggression
Hierarchy-based
disrespect
Tone-related
Rudeness in emails
or messages
Disrespectful
communication
24.
Disrespectful
"What were youthinking?"
"That’s not my job."
"You never listen!"
Respectful
"Let’s look at what went wrong
together."
"I’m not the best person for this,
but I can help you find who is."
"Can we sit and talk when you’re
ready? I really need your
attention."
P u bl i c c r i t i c i s m o f m a n a g e m e n t
P r o b l e m s
Undermines
authority
01
02
Creates
division
03
Toxic
blame
culture
Staff feel
uncertain
or unsafe
04
27.
Public criticism ofmanagement
Examples
• Saying during a meeting: “Well, that policy clearly makes
no sense, but what can we do.”
• In staff WhatsApp groups: “Another last-minute circular
from the admin — typical!”
• Telling students: “Even I don’t understand what the
management wants.”
• Sharing internal school decisions or complaints on social media.
28.
Public criticism ofmanagement
Solutions
• Use the right channels: Email, meeting with a supervisor,
feedback forms
• Speak one-on-one with respect, not emotionally in public.
• Give constructive feedback instead of sarcastic remarks.
• Think long-term: Will this comment solve the issue or just
vent frustration?
29.
Scenario
Staff member jokesabout a new policy in a staff
room.
A teacher sends an email to admin sharing
concerns about extra duties.
Admin decision is discussed negatively in front
of students.
Management feedback is shared respectfully in a
monthly meeting.
Response
🚫 Unethical — better addressed in private.
✅ Ethical — private and respectful.
🚫 Very unprofessional.
✅ Ethical — if tone and intent are respectful.
30.
Unprofessional Dress orlateness
• Poor role modeling
• Disrespects time and effort
• Can disrupt schedules
• “Rules are flexible—for me.”
31.
Ethical Mindset- Arewe living our message?
1) "If we expect our students to be on time,
are we on time?"
2) Are we planning our day
effectively, including breaks and
lesson flow?
3) Do we treat school time and
resources with the same care we
expect from students?
Are we mirroring the behavior we expect from learners?
32.
P - PoliciesL - Legal
📌 Decision-Making Tool: PLUS Model
Ethics in Decision-Making
Choose your action and justify your decision
Universal
Policies
📍 Scenario Quiz: 'You Be the Leader!'
Legal Self
U - Universal S - Self
Debrief – WhatWe Learned
You
Personal
Accounts
Professional
Image
Role Model
36.
Case Study –Social Media Criticism
• Colleague passing negative comments about school in
staffroom/office.
• What should you do?
• Apply the 3-step model
37.
Workshop Activity: “WhatWould You Do?” –
Ethical Dilemmas in Schools
• What ethical values were repeated in each case?
• Was it easy or hard to agree on the “right” action?
• How can we support each other in staying ethical
under pressure?
Objective: To encourage discussion and reflection on common ethical
challenges in schools, and how to respond professionally and responsibly.
Time: 10–15 minutes
Building an EthicalSchool Culture
1) Everyone plays a part
2) Lead by example
3) Use proper channels for feedback
4) Trust management’s open-door policy
📺 Skit orVideo: Do’s & Don’ts in School Settings
Professionalism in Communication & Conduct
Focus on respectful, clear communication
🎭 Role Play: Handling a difficult parent/colleague
#11 Role Law Example Administrators School Management Committees with parent involvement and enforcement powers Fines for operating unregistered schools
Teachers Must be qualified (with deadline to achieve qualification) Required duties: punctuality, syllabus, assessments, parent meetings No non-teaching tasks except census, elections, disaster relief
Student Safety Bag‑weight limit law to protect children’s health
#12 Moral Value School Example Teaching Method Honesty “Truth-telling challenge” in class Story & role-play Empathy Empathy lessons in Karachi school Discussion & service work Responsibility Student helpers assist at assemblies Consistent duties & reflection Kindness “Kindness weeks” or peer support drives Projects & rewards
#16 💬 Prompt: Share an ethical dilemma you've experienced
#20 Confidentiality: The information shared by the student was private.
Professional Boundaries: As a volunteer, sharing sensitive student information, even with a well-meaning parent in a private group, crosses a line.
Respect: Respecting the student's privacy and not divulging personal information.
#31 1) Using work laptops for non-professional activities
2) Teaching during breaks (tuition) or personal mobile phone use
3) Delegating your class without proper substitution planning
4) Respecting even “lower hierarchy” supervisors
5) Planning your day, respecting class time, including structured breaks
#34 After hearing group opinions, you can say:
“This activity reminds us that in today’s world, our digital footprint is part of our professional reputation. Even when we think we’re off-duty, we’re still role models.”
#38 Link handout of BMSS with aims of today’s workshop
Adherence to Designated Roles and Responsibilities: All staff members are expected to understand and strictly adhere to their designated job roles, responsibilities, and reporting lines. Unsanctioned assumption of duties outside one's role, particularly in areas like reception, student services, or specific departmental tasks, is prohibited and can disrupt school operations and create inefficiencies.
Professional Collaboration and Respect: Staff must treat all colleagues with respect, regardless of position, seniority, or department. Communication among staff should always be professional, constructive, and respectful. Public displays of disrespect, shouting to communicate, engaging in gossip, or making disparaging remarks about colleagues, their work, or their roles are strictly forbidden.
#40 🎯 Compare personal values with school’s mission/vision
Self-reflection: Are we aligned?