The core of teaching consists of four basic values: dignity, truthfulness, fairness and responsibility & freedom.
All teaching is founded on ethics – whether it be the teacher-student relationship, pluralism or a teacher’s relationship with their work.
Dignity means respect for humanity. Teachers must respect every person, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, gender diversity, appearance, age, religion, social standing, origin, opinions, abilities and achievements.
Truthfulness is one of the core values in teachers’ basic task, which involves steering learners in navigating life and their environment. Honesty with oneself and others and mutual respect in all communication is a basic aspect of teachers’ work.
Fairness is important both when encountering individual learners and groups but also in the work community. Fairness involves in particular promoting equality and non-discrimination and avoiding favouritism.
Teachers are entitled to their own values, but in their work, teachers’ responsibility is tied to their basic task and its standards such as legislation and the curriculum.
Teacher’s ethical principles
The aim of teachers’ ethical principles is to draw attention to the ethics involved in teaching.
Good professional ethics are among a teacher’s most important resources.
Teachers and relationship with work
Teachers commit to the standards and ethics of their work. Teachers manage their duties responsibly. Teachers develop their work and expertise and assess their own actions.
Teachers teach in a manner that reflects their personality, so developing and caring for their individuality is their right and obligation.
Teachers are entitled to be treated fairly in their work.
Teachers accept and treat learners as unique human beings. Teachers respect the rights of learners and react to them humanely and fairly.
Teachers try to understand the learners’ starting point, thoughts and opinions. Teachers considerately handle matters linked to the learner’s personality and privacy. Teachers pay special attention to learners who require care and protection and do not, under any circ*mstances, tolerate bullying or the abuse of other people.
Teachers’ work also includes teaching learners to co-operate and to become good members of society. Building up confidence and good relationships is part of teachers’ work.
Teachers and the work community
Teachers value their work and respect their colleagues. Teachers try to pool their resources and find a balance between their autonomy and the work community.
Accepting the individuality of colleagues, understanding them and helping and supporting each other are key principles of the work community.
Teaching is one of the most important jobs in society. Teachers’ ability to be effective in their work and take care of their professional development are dependent not only on their commitment, but also on the resources allocated to teaching and education. Teachers promote the opportunities offered by education and growth.
Teachers represent, above all, learners’ rights and interests – even critically, if necessary. In their work, they also teach learners to become responsible members of a democratic society.
Teachers and stakeholders
Teachers work together with learners’ parents, guardians and other parties responsible for education, training and well-being. These include social and health care expert groups, authorities and numerous other collaborating parties.
The co-operation supports learners’ learning and development.
Teachers need to ensure that all learners have the same rights and obligations as members of society.
They make sure that learners and their parents’ cultures and world views are respected equally and that no one is discriminated against based on them.
FAQs
The core of teaching consists of four basic values: dignity, truthfulness, fairness and responsibility & freedom. All teaching is founded on ethics – whether it be the teacher-student relationship, pluralism or a teacher's relationship with their work. Dignity means respect for humanity.
What are the most important ethical considerations for teachers? ›
Teachers should be motivated by a universal respect for human life and also be guided by principles of caring. In fact, teachers have a fiduciary duty to act in a way that is in the best interest of their students. Teachers stand in a fiduciary position in relationship to their students.
What is the importance of teaching values and ethics to primary students? ›
Helps Children To Stand Up Against Injustice
When children know what is right or wrong, they can shape the perception of others. The importance of teaching moral values to students helps them to stand for themselves and others when an injustice is happening.
Why is it important for teachers to be ethical? ›
The Importance of Teacher Ethics. The code of ethics for teachers is designed to protect the rights of the students, all the students. It is important that teachers understand that when they get a teaching position they are agreeing to follow the code of ethics.
What is your ethics as a teacher? ›
Teacher should respect child's right and dignity with out any • Prejudice to sex, race colour, creed or religion. The teachers should also ensure confidentiality of personal information and other records of the learner disclosed to him. It is against the ethics of the teaching profession to sexually harass a learner.
How would you describe your personal values and principles? ›
Your values are the beliefs and principles that you believe are important in the way that you live and work. They (should) determine your priorities, and guide your decisions and the way you act towards others.
What are the 5 ethical responsibilities of teachers? ›
The five ethics for teachers include: fairness in the treatment of students , modeling ethical behavior through teacher conduct , establishing a bond of fairness, honesty, promise-keeping, respect, and responsibility with students , opposing student dishonesty such as cheating and plagiarism , and optimizing conditions ...
What are ethical issues faced by teachers? ›
Teachers face ethical issues in assessment practices, such as perpetuating a deficit orientation towards learning and marginalizing students with high needs.
What are the ethical boundaries teachers should maintain? ›
Physical Boundaries: Although “touching” is inevitable in the profession, teachers must: Refrain from touching or students inappropriately such as stroking, tickling or hugging them. Respect proximity and physical space when interacting with students. Give students privacy in restrooms, locker rooms and dressing areas.
What is the best way to teach values and ethics? ›
The best way to teach values to students is by structuring your lessons in a manner that inspires them. Become their role model because they learn what they see. You can also help them develop a moral compass by encouraging empathy, honesty, and kindness through your teaching method.
Teachers' personal values drive their goals and behaviors at school. Moreover, values can support subjective well-being and an individual sense of self-efficacy.
What are examples of teacher ethics? ›
Teachers must model strong character traits, including perseverance, honesty, respect, lawfulness, fairness, patience, and unity. As an educator, teachers must treat every student with kindness and respect without showing any favoritism, prejudice or partiality.
What are the moral and ethical responsibilities of a teacher? ›
The professional educator has a primary obligation to treat students with dignity and respect. The professional educator promotes the health, safety and well being of students by establishing and maintaining appropriate verbal, physical, emotional and social boundaries.
What are the virtues of an ethical teacher? ›
An ethical teacher is self-disciplined and follows a number of sub genres. The study demonstrated that a virtuous teacher carries some of the most essential qualities like communication, fairness, responsibility, patience, care, humour, interest and commitment.
