Professional ethics and Professional accountability

1. TEACHER’S
PROFESSIONAL
ETHICS
Teaching and Learning
Unit V
Dr.C.Thanavathi
M.A.(His.), M.Phil. (His.), B.A. (Eng.), M.Ed., M.Phil. (Edn.)
DGT., DCA, SET (Edn.), CTE, PGDHE, Ph.D. (Edn.), Ph.D. (His.)
Assistant Professor of History,
V.O.C. College of Education, Thoothukudi – 628008.
9629256771
thanavathic@thanavathi-edu.in
http://thanavathi-edu.in/index.html

2. Professional Ethics
 Every profession has its own professional ethics.
 The professional ethics signify the code of conduct to be adopted by the persons who profess that
profession.
 The professional ethics emerges in the form of broad principles which are to be followed for
rendering service to the people for their welfare.
 These principles are based upon the socio cultural and philosophical foundation of the society.
 They are the result of the best human values which have been proved to bebeneficial to the
mankind by deep reflection and centuries of practiced living.
 The roots of the professional ethics for the teacher can be found in the ancient Indian literature
such as Upanishads, Geeta etc. These texts have expectations of the society from the teachers.
 For e.g. the teacher should idealist in thinking, possess professional morality and conscience and
has high standard of behavior. The teacher must transmit all his learning to the pupil etc.
 Describing the role of the teacher Bhagwat Geeta says, “A true teacher helps a pupil to discover his
own personal philosophy or the invisible sunwithin him”.
2

3. Professional Ethics
 Unfortunately in modern times, the teaching profession has degenerated from its
high ideals and ethical values to the level of merely a service oriented vocation.
 Thus, there ismuch need of educating the teacher in teacher’s professional ethics.
 There is nothing wrong in his demand for a decent living but in his conduct and
manners he should be as ideal to be followed by others.
 There is no doubt that the teacher should discharge his obligations and duties
intelligently, diligently, honestly, sincerely and uncomplainingly.
 This is the demand and expectation of the society from his profession.
 But at the same time the community should also look at his needs, his emoluments,
his status and prestige in commen surate to his functions and role.
 In our Indian Constitution’s Preamble clearly express about education, teachers
and their rights.
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4. Professional Ethics - Meaning
If one is attempting to live a just, and
therefore ethical, life, then it follows that
their actions should be virtuous in their
vocation as well as their personal life.
This is the beginning of professional
ethics.
Professional ethics were established, and
are constantly being developed, as a
guiding set of principles that help dictate
what constitutes good behavior of person in
authority.
Professional ethics, in short, are the means
of which we judge authority’s validity.
4

5. Feeney and Kipins (1985) define professional ethics
as a shared process of critical reflection upon our
obligations as professionals.
Ethical codes communicate a profession distinctive
responsibilities and relationships, both among
practitioners and between practitioners and society.
PROFESSIONAL ETHICS - DEFINITION

6. Professional Ethical Principals
 Not using authority to influence
personal life or for monetary gain.
 Not using authority with malicious
intent.
 Acting within the scope of
position’s authority only.
 Not influencing or advocating
unethical conduct in others.
 Acting in good faith to fulfill the
duty of the position of authority.
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7. Need of Professional Ethics
To aware the teachers to do their duties
To change the conduct and behavior of teachers
To act as a role model for students
To create, sustain and maintain a reciprocal relationship
To enable every teacher for becoming a real one
To bring improvement in professional environment

8. Professional Ethics
 Loyalty Towards Duty
 Punctuality
 Dutifulness
 Respect for the
profession
 Respect for the
institution
 Respect and
admiration for Co-Staff
 Strictness and straight
forwardness
 Truthfulness
 Honesty
 Good Behavior
Towards Students
 Use of Rights
 Motivational Attitude
 Studious / Good
Learner
 Dressing Sense
 Positive Attitude
 Innovative
 Proper Use of Authority
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9. Importance of Professional Ethics
 It brings about deeper understanding about his variety of role
perceptions.
 It develops positive attitude towards work.
 It develops in him the sense of duty commitment and accountability
towardshis work.
 It makes effort to define the duties and obligations of the teacher of
leading anideal life.
 It makes explicit the teacher’s role of defines his rights and duties
and what is involved in his virtuous conduct and what is vice for him
or unbecoming of hisconduct.
 It helps to bring about the qualitative improvement in the field of
education.
 It helps to change the social, moral and ethical atmosphere in the
educational institutions and in the society at large. 9

10. DIMENSIONS OF PROFESSIONAL ETHICS
10

11. I. Teachers and their Responsibilities:
Teachers should;
 Adhere to a responsible pattern of conduct and demeanor expected of them by the community.
 Manage their private affairs in a manner consistent with the dignity of the profession.
 Seek to make professional growth continuous through study and research.
 Express free and frank opinion by participation at professional meetings, seminars, conference
etc. towards the contribution of knowledge.
 Maintain active membership of professional organisations and strive to improve education and
profession through them.
 Perform their duties in the form of teaching, tutorial, practical and seminar work conscientiously
and with dedication.
 Co-operate and assist in carrying out functions relating to the educational responsibilities of the
college and the university such as: assisting in appraising applications for admission, advising
and counselling students as well as assisting in the conduct of university and college
examinations, including supervision, invigilation and evaluation.
 Participate in extension, co-curricular and extra-curricular activities including community
service.

12. II. Teachers and the Students:
Teachers should;
 Respect the right and dignity of the student in expressing his/her opinion.
 Deal justly and impartially with students regardless of their religion, caste, political, economic, social and physical
characteristics.
 Recognise the difference in aptitude and capabilities among students and strive to meet their individual needs.
 Encourage students to improve their attainments, develop their personalities and at the same time contribute to
community welfare.
 Inculcate among students scientific outlook and respect for physical labour and ideals of democracy, patriotism and
peace
 Be affectionate to the students and not behave in a vindictive manner towards and of them for any reason.
 Pay attention to only the attainment of the student in the assessment of merit.
 Make them available to the students even beyond their class hours and help and guide students without any
remuneration or reward.
 Aid students to develop an understanding of our national heritage and national goals.
 Refrain from inciting students against other students, colleagues or administration.

13. III. Teachers and Colleges:
Teachers should;
 Treat other members of the profession in the same manner as they
themselves wish to be treated.
 Speak respectfully of other teachers and render assistance for
professional betterment.
 Refrain from lodging unsubstantiated allegations against
colleagues to higher authorities.
 Refrain from allowing considerations of caste, creed, religion, race
or sex in their professional endeavour.

14. IV. Teachers and Authorities:
Teachers should;
 Discharge their professional responsibilities according to the existing rules and adhere to procedures and
methods consistent with their profession in initiating steps through their own institutional bodies and/or
professional organisations for change of any such rule detrimental to the professional interest.
 Refrain from undertaking any other employment and commitment including private tuitions and coaching
classes which are likely to interfere with their professional responsibilities.
 Co-operate in the formulation of policies of the institution by accepting various offices and discharge
responsibilities which such offices may demand.
 Co-operate through their organisations in the formulation of policies of the other institutions and accept
offices.
 Co-operate with the authorities for the betterment of the institutions keeping in view the interest and in
conformity with dignity of the profession; should adhere to the conditions of contract.
 Give and expect due notice before a change of position is made.
 Refrain from availing themselves of leave except on unavoidable grounds and as far as practicable with
prior intimation, keeping in view their particular responsibility for completion of academic
schedule.

15. V. Teachers and Non-Teaching Staff:
Teachers should;
 Teachers should treat the non-teaching staff as colleagues and equal
partners in a co-operative undertaking, within every educational
institution.
 Teachers should help in the function of joint staff-councils covering both
teachers and the nonteaching staff.

16. VI. Teachers and Guardians:
Teachers should;
 Try to see through teacher’s bodies and organisations that
institutions maintain contact with the guardians of their students,
send reports of their performance to the guardians whenever
necessary and meet the guardians in meetings convened for the
purpose for mutual exchange of ideas and for the benefit of the
institution.

17. VII. Teachers and Society:
Teachers should;
 Recognise that education is a public service and strive to keep the public
informed of the educational programmes which are being provided.
 Work to improve education in the community and strengthen the community's
moral and intellectual life.
 Be aware of social problems and take part in such activities as would be
conducive to the progress of society and hence the country as a whole.
 Perform the duties of citizenship, participate in community activities and
shoulder responsibilities of public offices.
 Refrain from taking part in or subscribing to or assisting in any way activities
which tend to promote feeling of hatred or enmity among different communities,
religions or linguistic groups but actively work for National Integration.

18. TEACHER’S ACCOUNTABILITY
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19.  Accountability is a concept of ethics and governance with
several meanings. It is often used synonymously with such
concepts as responsibility, answerability, Blameworthiness,
Liability. As result the concept of “Accountability of teacher’s
has completely disappeared into cold bag not leaving behind
even a faint clue.
Accountability - Meaning

20. 20

21. Committees and commissions recommendations regarding
teacher’s performance evaluation and ensuring their
accountability
1986, S.R. Sen Committee
In 1986, National Policy of Education
Dec. 1988, the U.G.C. - CAS
Rastogi committee (1977)
2008, UGC’s latest pay review committee

22. Characteristics of professionally accountable teacher
 Dedicated and have patience.
 Positive attitude/optimistic in his outlook.
 Guide in a right way and update his knowledge
time to time.
 Start any work with appropriate knowledge.
 Work to remove social ills, violence and
communalism.
 Work to remove class, caste and gender differences
and to bring equality.
 Make the students to do the work.
 Use diversity of resource and understand the
problem.
 Understand and solve problems
 Aware about one's role and responsibilities and
possess high degree of professionalism.

23. Importance of Teacher’s Accountability
 Teachers help in implementing the goals and the groundwork set by the school and
the administration, parents and the community. They shape the academic, oratory,
characteristics and personality, spiritual and virtuous capabilities of the students.
 When the teacher is held accountable, a student experiences greater freedom in
putting forward their concerns. They do not feel burdened.
 A teacher works in honing their skills and also correctly plans and executes their
activities.
 A teacher is also able to avail proper facilities and analyze the needs of the classroom.
 A teacher experiences greater freedom as they are held accountable for the
curriculum they set. In this way, a teacher can also adjust the things in favor of the
students.
 The teaching program becomes inclusive, unbiased and non-discriminatory. A
teacher is expected to assess every student based on their capabilities and not based
on their culture, gender, traditions or preferences.
 Quality education is insured, and public resources are put into proper usage. If a
better performance out of the teachers is expected, they are funded and salaries
accordingly.
 The administrators, counselors, as well as the principal, start to work in coordination
and provide their inputs as well.
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24. Dimensions of Professional Accountability
Accountability towards
Profession
Accountability towards
Society
Accountability towards
Students
Accountability towards lifelong
teaching and learning
Accountability towards
Stake Holders/Parents
Accountability towards
Humanity and Values

25. The expected teacher’s behavior in the form of accountability is
as follows
must be
excellent
should be
caring
help the
students
attain profession
enrichment and
excellence
devote their whole
life to teaching-
learning

26. 26
Conclusion
A professionally accountable teacher must be
excellent not only in the subject to be taught, but
also understand the learning requirements of the
students. He should be caring, affectionate and
sympathetic towards them for their harmonious
development and prosperity of nation. Hence it is
essential that a teacher must be accountable
towards his students, society, profession,
teaching- learning process, knowledge and
values. Hence, quality education is possible when
a teacher has the ethics and accountability
towards his profession.

27. Points to Keep in Mind
• Professional
Accountability
• Meaning,
• Definition
• Characteristics
• importance and
dimensions
• Expected teacher’s
behavior
1
• Professional Ethics
• Meaning,
• Definition
• Principals
• Ethics
• Need
• Importance and
Dimensions
2

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29. Dr.C.Thanavathi
M.A.(His.), M.Phil. (His.), B.A. (Eng.), M.Ed., M.Phil. (Edn.)
DGT., DCA, SET (Edn.), CTE, PGDHE, Ph.D. (Edn.), Ph.D. (His.)
Assistant Professor of History,
V.O.C. College of Education, Thoothukudi – 628008.
9629256771
thanavathic@thanavathi-edu.in
http://thanavathi-edu.in/index.html
THANK YOU