TOPIC 3: LEGISLATIONS RELATED TO TEACHER AND EDUCATION

1. CODE OF ETHICS FOR TEACHERS IN MALAYSIA

CONCEPT OF ETHICS:

 Ethics - derived from the Greek word ETHOS which means the norms, values, rules and
measurements of good human behavior.
 Ethics refers to rules of behavior, human customs in association with each other and this
arrangement maintained what is right and what is wrong

WHY TEACHERS NEED CODE OF ETHICS:

 To take care of the good image of their profession.
 To ensure that the teachers did not do anything untoward and tarnished the image of the
teaching profession
 Provides guidelines for professionalism – things to do and which should not be done.
 As a social control of society related professions
 To provide knowledge to the community so that they better understand the importance of a
profession that allows them to control professionals in their career field.
 To prevent interference outside the organization profession about ethical relationships

CODE OF ETHICS FOR TEACHERS IN MALAYSIA:

a) RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS THE STUDENTS

 Concern for the welfare and safety of our students
 Be fair to all students, regardless of factors of physical, mental, emotional, political,
economic, social, racial or religious.
 Keep your professional or confidential information about students
 Assist or teach a student in the classroom without any charges.
 Demonstrate good example to the students.
 Maintain and improve professional competence
b) RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS THE PARENTS
 Respect and establish friendly relationship and cooperation with parents
 Information provided by the parents is keep as confidential and will not disclose it to
anyone except to those who are entitled to know.
 Provide information to parents in the interest of their children
 Refrain from using or affected by the social and economic position of the
parents.
c) RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS SOCIETY AND COUNTRY
 Prevent yourself from spreading the teachings that could damage the interests of
students, the community, the nation or the opposite of the Rukun Negara.
 Foster in the students attitudes and values
 Respect the communities
 To promote cooperation and understanding between teachers and parents as
well as educational institutions and the community.
 Provide active contribution to raising the moral life, culture and knowledgeable
society.
 Adhere to proper behavior accepted by society and live our days well.

d) RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS COLLEAGUES AND TEACHING PROFESSION

 Refrain from making any statements or comments that could discredit / degrade
a teacher.
 Do not engage in activities that could affect our efficiency as a teacher.
 Strive to fully discharge our responsibilities diligently and earnestly and keep it in
line with the professional and social progress.
 Always ready to help our colleagues
 Always monitor ourselves so as not to tarnish the reputation of the teaching
profession.
 Be a member of teachers’ organization.
CONCEPT OF TEACHER ACCOUNTABILITY

 Accountability – to be responsible to someone or for any actions, decisions, etc., and

is prepared to provide an explanation and justification required
 Closely related to the discipline and the need to justify and accept responsibility,
decision or action taken.
 Accountability VS Responsibility – we can say we are responsible for something but we
do not need to have accountability to it.
 As teachers we are accountable for the academic achievement of our students – should
give students the opportunity of learning to select and prepare materials and activities
appropriate to the abilities and interests.
 Teachers’ accountability:
i. Accountability towards students – educate students to a level of excellence in
academic achievement as well as their potential to form a whole that produce
students with a balanced and harmonious intellectually, spiritually, emotionally,
socially and physically. Therefore, the teacher always asked to give justification to
the school or parents when students are involved in discipline problems.
ii. Accountability towards oneself – knowledgeable and competent in the subject
area being taught, constantly updating themselves on new developments, continue
to explore and discover new knowledge and pedagogical content knowledge
iii. Accountability towards parents – should establish a good relationship with
parents to support parents in whatever problems associated with personality or
academic achievement.
iv. Accountability towards community and country – teachers are responsible and
accountable to perform at their best in order to achieve the ideals and aspirations
of the National Education Philosophy
v. Accountability towards colleagues and teaching profession - establish good
relationships among colleagues and help each other in the profession, respect the
profession and always seek to discharge their duties properly
2. CODE OF CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINE FOR CIVIL SERVANTS

PURPOSE:
 To deal with disciplinary matters in Civil Service
 To ensure that all civil servants are aware that if there is a failure to adhere to the required
standards of conduct, work performance and attendance, the disciplinary procedure set
will apply

PRINCIPLES:
 In circumstances where a concern arises about the conduct or performance of an
individual it may be necessary to take disciplinary action
 All civil servants must be treated in a fair and equitable manner in accordance with the
principles of natural justice
 Line manager are responsible for making civil servant aware of the acceptable
standards of attendance, work performance and conduct expected from them and for
dealing with shortcomings promptly and fairly.
 The line manager will deal with any concern on an informal basis through discussion
and appropriate assistance rather than through the formal disciplinary procedures.
 Civil servant who fails to comply with a disciplinary process without reasonable cause will
be in breach of his/her terms of employment and will be subjected to disciplinary
action.

PROCEDURES:
i. Commence the process
ii. Investigation: establish the facts
iii. Prepare for the disciplinary meeting
iv. Disciplinary meeting
v. Outcome of the disciplinary meeting
vi. Decide the appropriate disciplinary sanction
vii. Internal and external appeals
3. EDUCATION ACT 1996

AIMS:
 To further consolidate the national education system for the young generation in
accordance with the country’s aspirations of making Malaysia a center of excellence for
education.
 To outline the legislation related to education

MAIN CONCEPTS:
 The National Philosophy of Education which was proclaimed in 1988 & forms the
underlying basis.
 The consolidation of the national education system to include the following:
o All levels of schooling, from pre-school until tertiary education;
o All categories of schools, for example, government schools, government-aided
schools & private schools;
 The National Language became the main medium of instruction under the national
education system, besides being a compulsory subject for all schools & educational
institutions
 National Philosophy of Education 1989:
o “Education in Malaysia is an on-going effort towards further developing the
potential of individuals in a holistic and integrated manner, so as to produce
individuals who are intellectually, spiritually, emotionally and physically
balanced and harmonious, based on a firm belief in and devotion to God. Such
an effort is designed to produce Malaysian citizens who are knowledgeable and
competent, who possess high moral standards, and who are responsible and
capable of achieving a high level of personal wellbeing as well as being able to
contribute to the harmony and betterment of the family, the society and the nation
at large.“

IMPLICATIONS OF EDUCATION ACT 1996

 National curriculum for all schools in Malaysia
 Malay languages as the national language and main medium of instruction
 Preschool Education and Special Education were enhanced
 Compulsory education for all children
 Standardized assessment and examination
 Establishment of national-types school (SJKC and SJKT) – promote unity and diversity
4. CHILDREN’S RIGHT IN MALAYSIA

 CHILD - Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) defines a child as "any human
being below the age of eighteen years”
 Children's rights in Malaysia have progressed since Malaysia acceded to the Convention
on the Rights of the Child (CRC) in 1995 and introduced the Child Act in 2001.
 Government and civil society initiatives to realize and uphold the rights of children
have resulted in progress in the field of education and primary healthcare for
children.
 Act 611 – every child is entitled to protection and assistance in all circumstances
without regard to distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion,
social origin or physical, mental or emotional disabilities or any status.
 The provisions of Act 611 are based on the four core principles of the CRC that is, non-
discrimination, best interest of the child, the right to life, survival and
development and respect for the views of the child.
 CHILDREN’S RIGHT:
o their right to association with both parents
o physical protection
o food
o universal state-paid education
o health care
o criminal laws appropriate for the age and development of the child
o equal protection of the child's civil rights
o freedom from discrimination on the basis of the child's race, gender, sexual
orientation, gender identity, national origin, religion, disability, color, ethnicity, or
other characteristics.
 Some issues related to children’s right:
o Undocumented children – children without a birth certificate can be denied
access to healthcare and other basic social services which expose them to
exploitation and poor health.
o Out-of-School Children – might due to cost of schooling or disabilities
o Child Marriage – appropriate age to get married, parents’ consent, pregnancies
etc.
o How to overcome issues related to children’s right?