Code of Ethics

Create a blog post where you investigate the code of ethics’ principles that relate to your teaching profession. Think about how these principles govern your practice.

The Education Council Code of Ethics for Certficated Teachers governs all who teach in New Zealand. The four sections - Commitment to learners, Commitment to Parents/Guardians and Family/Whanau, Commitment to Society and Commitment to the Profession contain the professional obligations of the job of a teacher.

“The primary professional obligation of registered teachers is to those they teach. Teachers nurture the capacities of all learners to think and act with developing independence, and strive to encourage an informed appreciation of the fundamental values of a democratic society.”

Code of Ethics for Certificated Teachers | Education Council, n.d.

This is our key obligation as teachers, our students are our first priority and they need to come first. At times this becomes difficult with pressures that are placed on us in the classroom, but we must remember that this is the first key principle of our Code of Ethics and in my mind the most important point.

In your opinion are ethical codes of conduct reflective of societal norms or essential principles of humanity?
I believe, based on my professional beliefs and the Code of Ethics developed by the Education Counci, that ethical codes of conduct are reflective of societal norms. Our Code of Ethics relates to the commitment of us as teachers to our learners, their families, society and the profession. There is also alignment between the Code of Ethics and basic principles of humanity such as, respecting the privacy of others and promoting the well being of our learners. These are governed by the four principles of Autonomy, Justice, Responsible Care and Truth.

Education Council (n.d).

What are the advantages and disadvantages of having a Code of Ethics?
One of the main advantages of having a Code of Ethics is that it educators with clear guidelines to align our practice too. It also provides protection for us as professionals. The guidelines are especially important for those starting out in their career as they give a frame work for maintaining professional practices. The Code of Ethics also provides a framework to work through when ethical issues arise.  


Some of the disadvantages could possibly include the fact that they Code of Ethics are open to some interpretation. In some cases they could not be specific enough to support those making ethical decisions. Grey areas between the guidelines could provide opportunities for justice to not be up held. 


In your own field to what degree are ethics concerned to protect individual rights and to what degree do they exist to minimise organisational risk? How is the balance between the two distributed?

The key in where ethics are concerned is to ensure that all parties are taken into consideration when making ethical decisions. It is important to ensure individual rights, (of students, staff, families) are protected. The Code of Ethics also exists to protect the school, in its organisational role, from the risks associated. It also provides a foundation for leaders and management to use when making ethical decisions.

Education Council, (n.d.)

References

Code of Ethics for Certificated Teachers | Education Council. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.teacherscouncil.govt.nz/content/code-of-ethics-certificated-teachers-0