A Code of Ethics For Teachers in Barbados

The Professional teacher recognizes and is constantly aware of his/her role and responsibility in the delivery of education in his/her school. The quality of the teacher affects many; the student, the parent, the professional colleague, the employer, the public, the educational institution and the professional organisation that represents the teachers interests.

The teacher therefore must feel a commitment to these individuals and agencies, and must recognize that the practice of teaching must embrace a sense of honour and dignity.

As a member of the teaching profession, I acknowledge the magnitude of my responsibility and the need for a commitment on my part to the pursuits of excellence, and to the observance of the highest ideals and principles.

I therefore pledge to uphold the tenets embodied in this Code.

PRINCIPLES:-

In relation to pupils I shall:-

1. Recognize that my prime consideration and concern shall be for the interests and welfare of my students.
2. Act with humanity, dignity and discretion at all times in my relations with students.
3. Not discriminate against pupils on grounds of class, colour, status, religion or political belief.
4. Not use professional relationships for exploitative or immoral pursuits.
5. Not deliberately expose pupils to unnecessary embarrassment or disparagement t.
6. Make every reasonable effort to protect the pupils from conditions not conducive to learning, good health or safety;
7. Foster positive thinking and attitudes, the spirit of tolerance, a respect for the law, authority, freedom and social justice.
8. Give students scope for the development and expansion of independent points of view
9. Make a constant effort co improve professionally an J maintain currency m the field or discipline in which I teach.
10. Not disclose confidential information about pupils except or compelling reasons or except required by law
11. Not advertise my institution or canvass for scholars, either personally or by any means, to the detriment of other institutions.

In Relation to Colleagues, I shall:-

1. Never censure or criticize other teachers or their work in the hearing of students.
2. Respect staff members and foster meaningful participation in the school’s decision making process.
3. Recognize school administrators’ authority and seek co influence administrative policies and practices through acceptable channels.
4. Not use coercive means or promise special favours in order to influence professional decisions of colleagues.
5. Always give fair evaluations of colleagues and not make an adverse report on another teacher without first acquainting that teacher with the nature and contents of the report.
6. Resolve to share my professional knowledge experience and insights with colleagues in an atmosphere of meaningful fellowship
7. Safeguard confidential information acquired about colleagues professionally and only disclose such information for compelling professional reasons or if required by law
8. Never force, or attempt to force another teacher to perform outside of normal school hours any duty or task which is not essentially with the normal work and organisation of the school.
9. Not discriminate against colleagues on any grounds.
10. Not use professional relationaships for exploitative or immoral pursuits.

In relation to the Union:

The Teachers’ Union has professional educational, as well as industrial interests. The teacher who is a union member accepts that membership of the union also carries with it rights and responsibilities.

As a Union member I shall:-

1. Not wilfully misrepresent the union to the public
2. Not discourage free participation of colleagues in the Union’s affairs.
3. Contribute acitively, where possible to the programmes of my union.
4. Adhere to the Union’s policies as laid down by the Constitution and as decided from time to time by constitutional means, and so function as to be a credit to my union.

GENERAL:

I shall:

1. Know my terms of employment and homour those terms;
2. Not misrepresent professional or academic qualifications;
3. Not wilfully mislead the public on educational or other matters.
4. Not disrupt the peace in an educational institution except for purposes of industrial action.
5. Promote the ideas that all forms of lawful employment are meaningful, dignified and honourable.
6. So conduct myself generally as to be a credit to my profession, and avoid activites which affect adversely my professional status or my ability to perform adequately my duties as a teacher.

Barbados Union Of Teachers 98-10-12