Chapter 2: The teacher © VAN SCHAIK PUBLISHERS Chapter 2: Ethics

© VAN SCHAIK PUBLISHERS Learning outcomes This chapter should enable you to: identify the roles and characteristics of a competent teacher, and understand and apply a code of ethics in the teaching profession. © VAN SCHAIK PUBLISHERS

Department of Educational Studies Ethics Teachers should teach the learners in their classes: with the necessary dignity and constitutional rights; acknowledging their individuality and their specific needs; values by discussing the core ethical values such as: honesty, respect for others and responsibility; exercising authority without humiliating or abusing the learner; Department of Educational Studies Faculty of Humanities Compiled by T de Jager

Department of Educational Studies Ethics showing appropriate behaviour in a manner that does not show disrespect to the values, customs and norms of the community; establishing a classroom climate of safety and trust; refraining from any financial, political or personal gain in the profession; recognising the parents as part of their children’s education, by keeping them informed concerning the progress and needs of their children; Department of Educational Studies Faculty of Humanities Compiled by T de Jager

Department of Educational Studies Ethics   acknowledging authority of colleagues and refraining from undermining them; by not discriminating against learners on factors such as gender, race or religion and refrains from sexual harassment and relationships with learners Department of Educational Studies Faculty of Humanities Compiled by T de Jager

Ethics attending professional training programmes to keep abreast with educational trends; acknowledging that certain responsibilities and authorities are part of his/her teaching contract with the employer through legislation and that he/she needs to serve the employer to the best of his/her or her ability Studies Faculty of Humanities Compiled by T de Jager

Department of Educational Studies Group activity:   How will you as a teacher apply ethics in and out of the classroom? Department of Educational Studies Faculty of Humanities Compiled by T de Jager

Department of Educational Studies Possible answer   I will familiarise myself with the code of conduct by respecting dignity, equity and social justice; avoiding humiliation, respect individuality; develop norms, attitudes and values; refrain from sexual harassment or relationships with learners and to educate all learners to develop their full potential in order to deal with the challenges of life. Department of Educational Studies Faculty of Humanities Compiled by T de Jager

Department of Educational Studies Home work   What can your role in your community be in order to improve education? Department of Educational Studies Faculty of Humanities Compiled by T de Jager

Department of Educational Studies Guidelines: be a role model in my community, show appropriate behaviour in a manner that does not show disrespect to the values, customs and norms of the community. guide and support my community to develop children’s learning abilities and literacy provide them with the necessary knowledge and skills. conduct one day workshops for parents on how to assist their children’s learning and to discipline their children Department of Educational Studies Faculty of Humanities Compiled by T de Jager