H.P. ELEMENTARY EDUCATION CODEChapter_9_2012 CODE OF CONDUCT FOR TEACHERS by VIJAY KUMAR HEER

CHAPTER IX

Code of Conduct for Teachers

9.1       Preamble

Goal of education in our country

The basic purpose of education is to create skill, knowledge and awareness of our glorious national heritage and the achievement of human civilization, possessing a basic scientific outlook and commitment to the ideals of patriotism, democracy, secularism, socialism and peace, and the principles enunciated in the Preamble to our Constitution. The education sector has to produce leaders of society in all areas of activities with a commitment to above ideals. Education should strive for academic excellence, and progress of the arts and sciences. Educational research and extension should be conducted in conformity with our national needs and priorities ensuring that our best talents make befitting contributions on societal needs.

9.2       Code of professional ethics

9.2.1    Teachers and their responsibilities

Whoever  adopts  teaching  as  a  profession  is  under  an  obligation  to  conduct him/her in accordance with the ideals of the profession. A teacher is constantly under the scrutiny of his students and society at large. Therefore, every teacher should see that there is no incompatibility between his precepts and practice. The national ideals of education which have already been set forth and which he/she should  seek  to  inculcate  among  students  must  be  his/her  own  ideals.  The profession further   requires   that   the   teachers   should   be   calm,   patient, communicative in temperament, amiable in disposition and exemplary in their public  and  private  life.  Their  integrity,  good  moral  conduct  and  sense  of dedication should be an inspiration to the student.

Teachers should

1)         adhere to a responsible pattern of conduct and demeanour expected of them by the community;

2)         manage their private affairs in a manner consistent with the dignity of the profession;

3)        strive for continuous professional growth through study and research;

4)         express  free  and  frank  opinion  when  participating  in  professional meetings, seminars and conferences;

5)         maintain active membership of professional organizations and strive to update their knowledge through them;

6)         perform  their  duties  in  the  form  of  teaching,  tutorials,  practical  and seminar work conscientiously and with dedication;

7)         co-operate  and  assist  in  carrying  out  functions  relating  to  educational responsibilities of the schools, such as assisting in appraising application for admission, advising and counselling students, as well as, assisting in the conduct of examinations, including supervision, invigilation and evaluation; and

8)         Participate  in  extension,  co-curricular  and  extra-curricular  activities including community service.

9.2.2    Teachers and students

Teachers should

1)        respect the right and dignity of the student in expressing his/her opinion;

2)         deal justly and impartially with students regardless of their religion, caste, political, economic, social and physical characteristics;

3)         recognize the differences in aptitude and capabilities among students and strive to meet their individual needs;

4)         encourage   students   to   improve   their   attainments,   develop   their personalities and at the same time contribute to community welfare;

5)         inculcate among students a scientific outlook and respect for physical labour and ideals of democracy, patriotism, and peace;

6)         be affectionate to the students and not behave in a vindictive manner towards any of them for any reason;

7)         pay attention to only the attainment of the students in the assessment of merit;

8)         make themselves available to the students even beyond their class hours and help and guide them without any remuneration or reward;

9)         aid students to develop an understanding of our national heritage and national goals; and

10)       Refrain  from  inciting  students  against  other  students,  colleagues  or administration.

9.2.3    Teachers and colleagues

Teachers should

1)         treat  other  members  of  the  profession  in  the  same  manner  as  they themselves wish to be treated;

2)         speak  respectfully  to  other  teachers  and  render  assistance  for  overall professional betterment;

3)         refrain from lodging unsubstantiated allegations against colleagues to their higher authorities; and

4)         Refrain from allowing considerations of caste, creed, religion, race or sex to influence their professional working.

9.2.4    Teachers and authorities

Teachers should

1)         discharge their professional responsibilities according to the existing rules and adhere to procedures and methods consistent with their profession in initiating steps through their own institutional bodies  and/or professional organizations for change of any such rules detrimental to the professional interest;

2)         refrain   from   undertaking   any   other   employment   and   commitment including private tuitions and coaching classes which are likely to interfere with their professional responsibilities;

3)         co-operate  in  the  formulation  of  the  policies  of  their  institutions  by accepting various offices and discharge the responsibilities, which such offices may demand;

4)         co-operate through their organizations in the formulation of policies of the other institutions and accept offices, as necessary;

5)         co-operate  with  the  authorities  for  the  betterment  of  the  institutions keeping in view the overall interest and in conformity with the dignity of the profession;

6)        give and expect due notice before a change of position is made; and

7)         Refrain from availing themselves of leave except on unavoidable grounds, and as far as, practicable with prior intimation, keeping in view their particular responsibility towards the completion of the academic schedule.

9.2.5    Teachers and non-teaching staff

Teachers should

1)         treat  the  non-teaching  staff  as  colleagues  and  equal  partners  in  a  co- operative undertaking, within every educational institution; and

2)         Help in the functioning of the joint staff councils covering both teachers and the non-teaching staff.

9.2.6    Teachers and guardians

Teachers should try to see through teacher’s bodies and organizations that institutions maintain contact with the guardians of their students, send reports of their performance to the guardians, whenever necessary, and meet the guardians in meetings convened for the purpose for mutual exchange of ideas and for the benefit of the institution.

9.2.7    Teachers and society

Teachers should

1)         recognize that education is a public service and strive to keep the public informed of the educational programmes, which are being provided;

2)         work  to  improve  education  in  the  community  and  strengthen  the community’s moral and intellectual life;

3)         be aware of social problems and take part in such activities as would be conducive to the progress of society and hence the country as a whole;

4)        perform the duties of citizenship; participate in community activities and shoulder responsibilities of public offices;

1)        Bringing of tailoring/knitting/embroidery material and allied work.

2)        Use of help books/keys to textbooks in all institutions.

3)        Use of radio/transistor/mobiles in the offices and institutions.

4)          Teaching staff will not perform any tuition work either before or after school hours.

9.3       Non-teaching staff

The code of conduct specified for teachers shall apply to other employees as well.