The Code of Ethics for

Professional Teachers
TEACHERS AS PROFESSIONALS

Duly licensed professionals who

possess dignity and reputation with
high moral values as well as technical
and professional competence. In the
practice of their noble profession, they
strictly adhere to observe, and practice
this set of ethical and moral principles,
standard and values.
(Preamble, Code of Ethics for
Professional Teachers)
Code of Ethics covers all public and private
school teachers in all educational institutions
at the preschool, primary, elementary, and
secondary levels whether academic, vocational
special, technical, or non-formal.

The term “teacher” shall include industrial arts

or vocational teachers and all other persons
performing supervisory and/or administrative
functions in all school at the aforesaid levels,
whether on full time or part-time basis
THE TEACHER AND THE STATE
1. The schools are the nurseries of the future
citizens of the state, each teacher is a trustee of
the cultural and educational heritage of the
nation and is under obligation to transmit to
learners such heritage as well as to elevate
national morality, promote national pride,
cultivate love of country, instill allegiance to the
Constitution and respect for all duly constituted
authorities, and promote obedience to the laws
of the state.

2. In the interest of the State and of the Filipino

people as much as of his own, every teacher
shall be physically, mentally and morally fit.
 THE TEACHER AND THE STATE
3. A teacher shall not engage in the promotion of
any political, religious and other partisan
interest, and shall not, directly or indirectly,
solicit, require, collect, or receive any money
or service or other valuable material from any
person or identity for such purposes.

4. Every teacher shall vote and shall exercise all

other constitutional rights and responsibilities.

5. A teacher shall not use his position or official

authority or influence to coerce any other
person to follow any political course of action.
 THE TEACHER AND THE TEACHING
COMMUNITY

Every teacher shall provide

leadership and initiative to
actively participate in community
movements for moral, social,
educational, economic and civic
betterment involved in matters
affecting the welfare of the
people.
 THE TEACHER AND THE
TEACHING COMMUNITY
Every teacher shall help the school to
keep the people in the community
informed about the school’s work
and accomplishments as well as its
needs and problems.
 THE TEACHER AND THE
TEACHING COMMUNITY
Every teacher shall merit reasonable
social recognition for which
purpose he shall behave with
honor and dignity at all times and
refrain from such activities as
gambling, smoking, drunkenness
and other excesses, much less
illicit relations.
 THE TEACHER AND THE PROFESSION

1. Every teacher shall actively help ensure that

teaching is the noblest profession, and shall
manifest genuine enthusiasm and pride in
teaching as a noble calling.

2. Every teacher shall participate in the continuing

professional education (CPE) program of the
Professional Regulation Commission, and shall
pursue such other studies as will improve his
efficiency, enhance the prestige of the
profession, and strengthen his competence,
virtues, and productivity in order to be nationally
and internationally competitive.
THE TEACHER AND THE
PROFESSION

3. Every teacher shall use the

teaching profession in a manner
that makes it a dignified means
of earning a decent living.
THE TEACHER AND HIGHER AUTHORITIES
IN THE PROFESSION

1. Every teacher shall make it his duty to

make an honest effort to understand
and support the legitimate policies of
the school and the administration
regardless of personal feeling or
private opinion and shall faithfully carry
them out.
THE TEACHER AND HIGHER
AUTHORITIES
IN THE PROFESSION
2.A teacher shall transact all official
business through channels except when
special conditions warrant a different
procedure, such as when reforms are
advocated but are opposed by the
immediate supervisor, in which case the
teacher shall appeal directly to the
appropriate higher authority.
THE TEACHER AND HIGHER AUTHORITIES
IN THE PROFESSION

3.Every teacher, individually or as

part of a group, has the right to
seek redress against injustice
and discrimination and, to the
extent possible, shall raise his
grievances within acceptable
democratic processes.
THE TEACHER AND HIGHER AUTHORITIES
IN THE PROFESSION

4. Every teacher has a right to

invoke the principle that
appointments, promotions, and
transfers of teachers are made
only on the basis of merit and
need in the interest of service.
SCHOOL OFFICIALS, TEACHERS AND
OTHER PERSONNEL

1. All school officials shall at all times

show professional courtesy,
helpfulness and sympathy towards
teachers and other personnel, such
practices being standards of effective
school supervision, dignified
administration, responsible leadership
and enlightened direction.
SCHOOL OFFICIALS, TEACHERS
AND OTHER PERSONNEL
2. School officials, teachers,
and other personnel shall
consider in their cooperative
responsibility to formulate
policies or introduce important
changes in the system at all
levels.
 SCHOOL OFFICIALS, TEACHERS AND
OTHER PERSONNEL

3. School officials shall encourage and attend

to the professional growth of all teachers
under them such as in recommending them
for promotion, giving them due recognition
for meritorious performance, and allowing
them to participate in conferences and
training programs.
4.No school official shall dismiss or
recommend for dismissal a teacher or other
subordinates except for a cause.
Why are You Still Teaching?
Claire Macdonald
Senator Patrick Burns Junior High

I’m often However

Overwhelmed I’m still here
Exhausted Still teaching-Why?
Frustrated
Angered
Unappreciated I’m often energized
Overworked Excited
As a teacher Amazed
Amused
Enthused
By my students
And colleagues
 I’m still here because
I still care
Occasionally I’m For my Students
Thanked Who make me laugh every day
Appreciated I learn something new every day
Praised I know I am making a difference.
Listened to
Validated That’s why.
By students from my past
And from my present

Whenever I begin to question

Just why am I still here?
Still teaching?
Still doing more and more
With less and less
 THE TEACHER AND THE LEARNERS

 A teacher shall recognize that the

interest and welfare of learners are of
first and foremost concern, and shall
deal justly and impartially with each of
them.
 Under no circumstances shall a
teacher be prejudiced nor
discriminatory against any learner.
 THE TEACHER AND THE
LEARNERS
Ateacher shall not accept any
favors or gifts from learners,
their parents, or others in their
behalf in exchange for requested
concessions, especially if
undeserved.
 THE TEACHER AND THE LEARNERS
 A teacher shall not accept, directly or
indirectly, any remuneration from
tutorials other than what is authorized for
such service
 In a situation where mutual attraction
and subsequent love develop between
teacher and learner, the teacher shall
exercise utmost professional discretion
to avoid scandal, gossip, and preferential
treatment of the learner.
THE TEACHER AND THE LEARNERS

 A teacher shall not inflict corporal

punishment on offending learners
nor make deductions from their
scholastic ratings such as a
punishment for acts which are
clearly not manifestations of poor
scholarship.
 THE TEACHER AND THE PARENTS

1. Every teacher shall establish and

maintain cordial relations with
parents, and shall conduct
himself to merit their confidence
and respect.
 THE TEACHER AND THE
PARENTS
2.Every teacher shall inform parents,
through proper authorities, of the
progress or deficiencies of learners
under him, exercising utmost
candor and tact in pointing out
learners’ deficiencies and in
seeking parents’ cooperation for
the proper guidance and
improvement of learners.
THE TEACHER AND THE PARENTS

3. A teacher shall hear

parents’ complaints with
sympathy and
understanding, and shall
discourage unfair
criticism.
 THE TEACHER AND BUSINESS

1. A teacher has the right to engage, directly or

indirectly, in legitimate income generation
activities, provided that it does not relate to
or adversely affect his work as a teacher.

2. A teacher shall maintain a good reputation

with respect to financial matters such as in
the settlement of his debts and loans and in
arranging satisfactorily his private financial
affairs.
 THE TEACHER AND BUSINESS
3.No teacher shall act, directly or indirectly,
as agent of, or be financially interested in,
any commercial venture which furnish
textbooks and other school commodities in
the purchase and disposal of which he can
exercise official influence, except only when
his assignment is inherently, related to such
purchase and disposal, provided that such
shall be in accordance with existing
regulations, provided, further, that members
of duly recognized teachers’ cooperatives
may participate in the distribution and sale
of such commodities.
 THE TEACHER AS A PERSON

1. A teacher is, above all, a human being

endowed with life for which it is his highest
obligation to live with dignity at all times
whether in school, in the home, or elsewhere.

2. A teacher shall place premium upon self-

respect and self-discipline as the primary
principles of personal behavior in all
relationships with others and in all situations.
 THE TEACHER AS A PERSON

3.A teacher shall maintain at all times a

dignified personality which could
serve as a model worthy of emulation
by learners, peers, and all others.

4. A teacher shall always recognize

the Almighty God as guide of his own
destiny and of the destinies of men
and nations.
 DISCIPLINARY ACTION

Any violation of any provision of this Code shall be

sufficient ground for the imposition against the
erring teacher of disciplinary action consisting of
revocation of his Certificate of Registration
and License as a Professional Teacher,
suspension from the practice of the teaching
profession, reprimand, or cancellation of his
temporary/special permit under causes specified
in Sec. 23, Article III of R.A. 783663., and under
Rule 31, Article VIII, of the Rules and
Regulations implementing RA 78
 “Every teacher shall merit reasonable
social recognition for which purpose he shall
behave with honor and dignity at all times
and refrain from such activities as gambling,
smoking, drunkenness and other excesses,
much less illicit relations.”
(Code of Ethics, Article III, Section 3)

“A teacher shall place premium upon self-

respect and self-discipline as the principle
of personal behavior in all relationships with
others and in all situations.”
(Code of Ethics, Article XI, Section 2)
 “A teacher shall maintain at all times a
dignified personality which could serve
as model worthy of emulation by learners,
peers, and others.”
(Code of Ethics, Article XI, Section 3)
TO ACT WITH HONOR:
To strictly honor contractual obligation
with the School

Art. VI, Sec. 6, Code of Ethics:

“A teacher who accepts a
position assumes a contractual
obligation to live up to his
contract, assuming full knowledge
of the employment terms and
conditions.”
 DUTY OF TEACHERS
(Based on Law)
As an EDUCATOR

1987 Constitution states:

“x x x The State shall protect
and promote the right of all
citizens to quality education at all
levels and shall take appropriate
steps to make such education
accessible to all.”
(Article XIV, Section 1)
To ensure Quality Education:

1) Must be COMPETENT and EFFICIENT

Code of Ethics for Professional Teachers,
Article IV, Section 2—
“Every teacher shall uphold the
highest possible standards of
quality education, shall make the
best preparation for the career of
teaching, and shall be at his best at
all times in the practice of his
profession.”
Code of Ethics further mandates that—

“Every teacher shall participate in the

continuing professional education (CPE)
program of the PRC, and shall pursue such
other studies as will improve his efficiency,
enhance the prestige of the profession, and
strengthen his competence, virtue and
productivity in order to be nationally and
internationally competitive.”

(Article IV, Section 3)

 “A teacher shall ensure
that conditions contributive
to the maximum
development of learners are
adequate and shall extend
assistance in preventing or
solving learners’ problems
and difficulties.”
(Article IV, Section 3)
In short—
A teacher is expected to be efficient
and competent in the performance of his
academic duties at all times.

(Section 3 (a))
2) Must EVALUATE LEARNERS
(i) Duty to give grades/evaluation
Section 16(3) of BP 232, TEACHER
SHALL—
“Render regular reports on
performance of each student and to the
latter and to the latter’s parents and
guardians with specific suggestions for
improvement.”
and...
Must promptly render or give
grades. Otherwise, the unjustified or
unreasonable delay in giving grades
constitutes gross neglect of duty.
In evaluating/giving grades the following
rules of conduct must be observed—
Code of Ethics provides—
“A teacher has the duty to determine
the academic marks and the promotion of
learners in the subject they handle. Such
determination shall be in accordance with
generally accepted procedure of
evaluation and measurement on case of
any complaint, teachers concerned shall
immediately take appropriate action,
observing the process.”
(Article VIII, Section 1)
 “Under no circumstances shall a
teacher be prejudiced nor discriminatory
against any learner.”
(Article VIII, Section 3)

“A teacher shall not accept favors or

gifts from learners, their parents or others
in their behalf in exchange for requested
concessions, especially if undeserved.”
(Article VIII, Section 4)

“A teacher shall base the evaluation of

the learner’s work on merit and quality of
academic performance.”
(Article VIII, Section 6)
(i) In computing the grades
Section 16 (5) of BP 232 mandates
that a teacher shall—
“Refrain from making deductions or
additions in student’s scholastic ratings for
acts that are clearly not manifestations of xxx
scholarship.”
Hence, Section 79 of the MRPS—
“Basis for Grading. – The xxx grade or
rating xxx in a student should be based
SOLELY on his scholastic performance. Any
addition or diminution to the grade in a
subject for co-curricular activities, attendance,
or misconduct shall NOT be allowed xxx.”
B. As a PARENT: Principal Duty to Exercise
Parental Authority and Responsibility

Article 218, Family Code provides—

“The school, its administrators and
teachers xxx engaged in child care
shall have special parental authority
and responsibility over the minor
child while under their supervision,
instruction or custody.”
Code of Ethics states—
“A teacher shall recognize that
the interest and welfare of learners
are his first and foremost concern,
and shall handle each learner justly
and impartially.”
(Article VII, Section 2)
Corporal Punishment - Article 233 (2nd par.)

“In no case x x x inflict corporal

punishment upon the child.”

Definition: An act that inflict pain or harm

upon a child’s body as punishment for
wrong doing usually through beating
and spanking
Elements:
(a) physical contact
(b) to inflict pain
Article viii, sec. 7
When mutual attraction and
subsequent love develop, the
teacher shall exercise utmost
professional discretion to
avoid scandal, gossip and
preferential treatment of the
learner.
 VIII,8. A teacher
shall not inflict
corporal punishment
on offending learners
nor make deductions
from their scholastic
ratings as a
punishment for acts
which are clearly not
manifestations of
poor scholarship.
 ARTICLE 2
A teacher shall not engage in
the promotion of any political, religious, or
other partisan interest, and shall not,
directly or indirectly, solicit, require, collect,
or receive any money or service or other
valuable material from any person or entity
for such purposes.
Every teacher shall vote and shall
exercise all other constitutional rights
and responsibility.
The Teachers
and the
Profession
 Article V, sec. 2
A teacher is not entitled
to claim credit or work
not of his own, and shall
give due credit for the
work of others which he
may use.
 Article v, sec. 4
... hold inviolate confidential
information and shall not
divulge any documents
which has not been
officially released without
permission.
Article v, sec. 5
...seek correctives for
an unprofessional
and unethical
conduct
 Article v, sec. 6
... submit to the proper
authorities any justifiable
criticism, without
violating the right of the
individual concerned.
ARTICLE IX

THE TEACHER
AND
PARENTS
 Section 3
A teacher shall hear
parent’s complaints with
sympathy and
understanding, and shall
encourage unfair
criticism.
1. Jonathan San Diego, son of the
Principal of Mapagpala Elementary School
is running as a mayor of their town. Is it
ethical for Principal San Diego to vote for
his son during the election?
a. Yes, it is a constitutional right of Principal San
Diego to vote
b. Yes, his vote is an additional point for his son
c. No., out of delicadeza, he should refrain from
voting since his son is a candidate
d. No, he has no right to vote.
2. Mrs. Concepcion is public school
teacher for 35 years. Every time she was
asked by her principal to attend a
seminar, she refused and requested that
the new teacher be the one to take her
slot. Is this correct?
a. Yes, Mrs. Concepcion had enough of this seminars
b. Yes, Mrs. Concepcion is about to retire and these
seminar will have no longer use for her
c. No, Mrs. Concepcion should take every opportunity to
attend a seminar for her own professional growth
d. No, Mrs. Concepcion has the prerogative to what
seminar she will attend
3. Mrs. Quinay was asked by the parents of
Michael (her favorite student) to help them to
get the concession of the school canteen. Mrs.
Quinay, effortless made this possible for
Michael’s parents. In return, Michael’s parent
gave her a brand new refrigerator as a gift. How
should Mrs. Quinay react on this?
a. Accept the gift since she has made a favor for Michael’s
parent
b. Accept the gift and asked Michael’s parent to discrete about
this.
c. Accept not the gift and politely explain that it is against the
principle of a teacher to adhere in such practice
d. Accept not the gift and tell Michael’s parents that she prefer
cash over the refrigerator
4. What do you think would be action
of a teacher who found out and has
proven that his principal is involved in
the malversation of funds of their
school?
a. Malign him through an anonymous letter.
b. Circulate this issue and let it become a gossip
c. Present the charge to a competent authority
d. Ignore what the teacher has discovered about
this action of the principal
5. Teacher Carol is a neophyte teacher.
One time a mother of her students
confronted and maligned her in front of
her colleagues. How should Teacher
Carol react on this kind of situation?
a. Walk away and ignore the mother
b. Answer back the mother and malign her too.
c. Allow the mother to malign her until it’s her turn
to do the same
d. Wait until the emotion of the mother subsides
and invite her to discuss the concern with the
principal or guidance counselor.
6. During the distribution of the
report card, which of the following
must be the foremost concern of a
teacher?
a. Discuss the projects of the school
b. Discuss the progress as well as the
deficiencies of the student
c. Discuss the unsettled bill of the student
d. Discuss the complaints of other teachers and
classmates of the students
7. Teacher Leor and student Joy are mutually
attracted the first time they see each other.
This mutual attraction developed into love.
Eventually, the teacher-student become a
boyfriend-girlfriend relationship. Can they
continue this kind of relationship?
a. Continue the relationship but teacher Leor must
exercise utmost professional discretion so as to
protect the interest of one another
b. Stop the relationship because teacher Leor is not
allowed to have a romantic relationship with any
of his students
c. Defer the relationship and wait for the right time
d. None of the above
 8. Principal Lourdes asks the assistance of teacher
Elvie to prepare the report to be presented to the
District Supervisor. After the presentation, the District
Supervisor commended her for the excellent report.
She even asks her to print the materials for the
distribution to other principals. In the printed work,
principal Lourdes doesn’t even acknowledge teacher
Elvie. Is this morally correct?
a. yes, the principal has all the right to decide who will be
acknowledge
b. Yes, the principal knows that teacher Elvie is afraid of
her and will not complaint
c. Yes, the principal must impress her district supervisor
and hide the truth that it is not her alone prepared the
report
d. None of the choices is correct
9. Which among the following
situations violate the principle of
respect?
a. Teacher Helen tells her student that what
Teacher Joann taught is wrong
b. Teacher Joann, upon learning what teacher
Helen did, asked the students not to attend
her class
c. Teacher Janis is giving special favor to
students to please them so that she can get a
remarkable result in evaluation
d. All of the above
10. In the Preamble of the Code
of Ethics of Professional
Teachers, which is NOT said
among teachers?
a. LET passers
b. Possesses dignity and reputation
c. Duly licensed professionals
d. High moral values with competencies
11. Which of the following is NOT true about the
Code of Ethics for Professional Teachers?
a) The Teacher must select which information
to keep confidential
b) The Teacher must demonstrate full
commitment and devotion to duty
c) The Teacher must manifest pride in the
nobility of the teaching profession
d) The Teacher must make no prejudice or
discrimination against any learner
12. Which of the following could be the reason
for the teacher’s suspension from the
practice of the teaching profession?
a) Immoral, unprofessional or dishonorable conduct
b) Observing proper procedures in obtaining a
certificate of registration
c) Faithfulness to the code of ethical professional
standards for professional teachers
d) Willingness to attend seminars, workshops,
conferences and the like or the continuing
education program prescribed by the board and the
commission
• 13. Teacher O tutors his students, who have
difficulty coping with Math, after class hours.
Is her act ethical?
a) Yes, provided she receives just
compensation.
b) Yes, provided she does not require a fee from
the parent
c) No, that is unfair to other students
d) No, she should be free after her official time
14. When a Principal starts to exercise his/her powers
over making and promoting students, is his/her
action acceptable?
a) Yes, when the teacher cannot make decision on
time.
b) Yes, when there is abuse of judgment on the part of
the teacher.
c) No, teachers are more knowledgeable of their
student’s performance.
d) No, grading and promoting students are exclusive
functions of teachers.
15. Teacher S, a Science teacher has been
accused of sexual harassment by one of her
students. What should the school Principal
do?
a) Ask the teacher to surrender to the police.
b) Tell the teacher to stop reporting to school.
c) Advice the teacher to transfer to other school
d) Create a committee to investigate the
accusation.
16. Teacher T receives a love letter from one of
her third year high school student in English.
What should Mr. Martin do?
a) Read her letter to the class.
b) Let the student express her feelings through letters.
c) Return the letter to the student and tell her not to
do it again.
d) Surrender the letter to the parent of the student.
17. Teacher P the English coordinator, was
assisted by Teacher Q throughout the
celebration of English Week. What should
teacher P do to acknowledge Teacher Q’s
assistance?
a) Buy her a gift.
b) Keep quiet about the assistance received.
c) Mention formally to the Principal the assistance
received.
d) Make an announcement giving due recognition of
the assistance received.