1. Chapter 2: The teacher
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Chapter 2:
Ethics

2. © 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.
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3. 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

5. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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