GORDON COLLEGE

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION , ARTS AND SCIENCES

Olongapo City Sports Complex , Donor Street , East Tapinac
Olongapo City , 2200 Telefax No. (047) 602-7175 loc 322

Self-Instructional e-Module 4

EDU TC04

THE TEACHING PROFESSION

Prepared by:

DR. NARCISA R. FIGUERRES

[email protected]

COPYRIGHT 2022
(Unauthorized reproduction and use of this Module is strictly prohibited)
 Module 4
THE CODE OF ETHICS FOR PROFESSIONAL
TEACHERS

I. INTRODUCTION
A profession is a disciplined group of individuals who
adhere to ethical standards and who hold themselves out
as , and are accepted by the public as possessing special
knowledge and skills in a widely recognized body of
learning derived from research , education and training at
a high level , and who are prepared to apply this
knowledge and exercise these skills in the interest of
others. It is inherent in the description of a profession that
a code of ethics governs the activities of each profession.
They demand high standards of behaviour in respect to
the service provided to the public and in dealing with
professional colleague and other stakeholders.

This module presents the Code of Ethics for Professional

Teachers as contained in Resolution No. 435 series of 1997.
Read on and reflect on some of the experiences you have
had to match them with the concepts and processes
contained in this module.

II. LEARNING OUTCOMES

After completing this module , pre-service teachers should
be able to :
 1. Explain the meaning of profession and professional
in the context of teaching and learning ;
2. recognize the importance of a Code of Ethics that will
govern the activities of a professional teacher ;
3. appreciate what it means to be a professional teacher
; and
4. accomplish the different learning tasks related to the
topic.
III. TOPICS AND KEY LEARNING POINTS
1. The Board for Professional Teachers adopts and
promulgates the Code of Ethics for Professional
Teachers as contained in Resolution No. 435 series of
1997.
2. Preamble. Teachers are 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 , standards and values.
3. ARTICLE I – SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS
3.1Section 1. The Philippine Constitution provides that
all educational institutions shall offer quality
education for all Filipino citizens , a vision that
requires professionally competent teachers
committed to its full realization. The provisions of
this Code shall apply , therefore to all teachers in all
schools.
3.2Section 2. This Code covers all public and private
school teachers in all educational institutions at the
 preschhol , primary , elementary and secondary
levels whether academic , vocational , special ,
technical or non formal. The term “teacher” shall
includeindustrial 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.

4. ARTICLE II . THE TEACHER AND THE STATE

4.1Section 1. The schools are nurseries of the 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
alliance to the Constitution and respect for all duly
constituted authorities and promote obedience to the
laws of the state.
4.2Section 2. Every teacher or school official shall
actively help carry out the declares policies of the
state , and shall an oath to this effect.
4.3Section 3. In the interest of the State of the Filipino
people as much as of his own , every teacher shall be
physically , mentally and morally fit.
4.4Section 4. Every teacher shall possess and actualize
full commitment and devotion to duty.
4.5Section 5. 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 , service
, other valuable materials from any person , entity for
such purpose.
4.6Section 6. Every teacher shall vote and shall exercise
all other constitutional rights and responsibilities.
4.7Section 7. A teacher shall not use his position or
official authority of influence to coerce any other
person to follow any political course of action.
4.8Section 8. Every teacher shall enjoy academic
freedom and shall have the privilege of sharing the
product of his researches and investigations ,
provided that , if the results are inimical to the
declared policies of the State , they shall be drawn to
the proper authorities for appropriate remedial
action.
5. ARTICLE III – THE TEACHER AND THE
COMMUNITY
5.1Section 1. A teacher is a facilitator of learning and of
the development of the youth ; he shall , therefore ,
render the best services by providing an environment
conducive to such learning and growth.
5.2Section 2. Every teacher shall provide leadership and
initiative to actively participate in community
movements for moral , social , educational , economic
and civic betterment.
5.3Section 3. 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.
5.4Section 4. Every teacher shall help the school keep
the people in the community and , shall, therefore ,
study and understand local customs and traditions in
order to have a sympathetic attitude , therefore ,
refrain from disparaging the community.
5.5Section 5. Every teacher shall help the school keep
the people in the community informed about the
school’s work and accomplishments as well as its
needs and problems.
5.6Section 6. Every teacher is an intellectual leader in
the community , especially in the barangay , and
shall welcome the opportunity to provide such
leadership when needed , to extend counseling
services , as appropriate , and to actively be involved
in matters affecting the welfare of the people.
5.7Section 7. Every teacher shall maintain harmonious
and pleasant personal and official relations with
other professionals , with government officials and
with the people , individually or collectively.
5.8Section 8. A teacher possesses freedom to attend
church and worship , as appropriate , but shall not
use his position and influence to proselyte others.
6. ARTICLE IV – THE TEACHER AND THE
PROFESSION
6.1Section 1. Every teacher shall actively help insure
that teaching is the noblest profession , and shall
 manifest genuine enthusiasm and pride in teaching
as a noble calling.
6.2Section 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.
6.3Section 3. Every teacher shall participate in the
Continuing Professional Education (CPE) program of
the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) , 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.
6.4Section 4. Every teacher shall help , if duly
authorized to seek support for the school, but shall
not make improper misrepresentations through
personal advertisements and other questionable
means.
6.5Section 5. Every teacher shall use the teaching
profession in a manner that makes it a dignified
means for earning a descent living.
7. ARTICLE V – THE TEACHER AND THE TEACHING
COMMUNITY
7.1Section 1. Teachers shall at all times , be imbued with
the spirit of professional loyalty , mutual confidence
and faith in one another , self-sacrifice for the
common good , and full cooperation with colleagues.
 When the best interest of the learners , the school or
the profession is at stake in any controversy , teachers
shall support one another.
7.2Section 2. A teacher is not entitled to claim for work
not of his own , and shall give due credit for the work
of others which he may use.
7.3Section 3. Before leaving his position , a teacher shall
organize and leave to his successor such records and
other data as are necessary to carry on the work.
7.4Section 4. A teacher shall hold inviolate all
confidential information concerning associates and
the school , and shall not divulge to anyone
documents which have not yet been officially
released , or remove records from the files without
official permission.
7.5Section 5. It shall be the responsibility of every
teacher to seek correctives for what may appear to be
an unprofessional and unethical conduct of any
associate. This may be done only if there is
incontrovertible evidence for such conduct.
7.6Section 6. A teacher may submit to the proper
authorities any justifiable criticism against an
associate , preferably in writing , without violating
any right of the individual concerned.
7.7Section 7. A teacher may apply for a vacant position
for which he is qualified , provided that he respects
the system of selection on the basis of merit and
competence, provided further , that , all qualified
 candidates are given the opportunity to be
considered.
8. ARTICLE VI – THE TEACHER AND HIGHER
AUTHORITIES IN THE PHILIPPINES
8.1Section 1. A 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 professional feeling or
private opinion and shall faithfully carry them out.
8.2Section 2. A teacher shall not make any false
accusation or charges against superiors , especially
under anonymity. However , if there are valid
charges , he should present such under oath to
competent authority.
8.3Section 3. 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
superior , in which case the teacher shall appeal
directly to the appropriate higher authority.
8.4Section 4. A teacher , individually or as part of a
group , has a right to seek redress against injustice
and discrimination and , to the extent possible , shall
raise his grievances within democratic processes. In
doing so , he shall avoid jeopardizing the interest and
welfare of learners whose right to learn must be
respected.
8.5Section 5. A teacher has the 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 the service.
8.6Section 6. 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.
9. ARTICLE VII – SCHOOL OFFICIALS , TEACHERS
AND OTHER PERSONNEL
9.1Section 1. 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.
9.2Section 2. School officials , teachers and other school
personnel shall consider it their cooperative
responsibility to formulate policies or introduce
important changes in the system at all levels.
9.3Section 3. School official shall encourage and attend
to the professional growth of all teachers under them
such as recommending them for promotion , giving
them due recognition for meritorious performance
and allowing them to participate in conferences and
training programs.
9.4Section 4. No school official shall dismiss or
recommend for dismissal a teacher or other
subordinate except for cause.
9.5Section 5. School authorities concerned shall ensure
that public school teachers are employed in
 accordance with pertinent civil service rules , and
private school teachers are issued contracts
specifying the terms and conditions of their work ,
provided that they are given , if qualified, subsequent
permanent tenure , in accordance with existing laws ,
and , provided , further that they are duly registered
and licensed professional teachers.

10.ARTICLE VIII – THE TEACHER AND THE

LEARNERS
10.1 Section 1. A teacher has the right and duty to
determine the academic marks and the promotion of
learners in the subjects they handle. Such
determination shall be in accordance with generally
accepted procedure of evaluation and measurement.
In case of any complaint , teachers concerned shall
immediately take appropriate action , observing the
process.
10.2 Section 2. 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.
10.3 Section 3. Under no circumstances shall a teacher
be prejudiced nor discriminatory against any learner.
10.4 Section 4. A teacher shall not accept favors or gifts
from learners , their parents or others in their behalf
in exchange for requested concessions , especially if
underserved.
 10.5 Section 5. A teacher shall not accept directly or
indirectly , any remuneration from tutorials other
than what is authorized for such service.
10.6 Section 6. A teacher shall base the evaluation of
the learner’s work on merit and quality of academic
performance.
10.7 Section 7. 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.
10.8 Section 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.
10.9 Section 9. A teacher shall insure that conditions
contributive to the maximum development of
learners are adequate , and shall extend needed
assistance in preventing or solving learner’s
problems and difficulties.

11.ARTICLE IX – THE TEACHER AND PARENTS

11.1 Section 1. A teacher shall establish and maintain
cordial relations with parents and shall conduct
himself to merit their confidence and respect.
11.2 Section 2. A teacher shall inform parents , through
proper authorities of the progress or deficiencies of
learners under him , exercising outmost candor and
 tact in pointing out learners’ deficiencies and in
seeking parent’s cooperation for the proper guidance
and improvement of learners.
11.3 Section 3. A teacher shall hear parent’s complaints
with sympathy and understanding , and shall
discourage unfair criticism.
12.ARTICLE X – THE TEACHER AND BUSINESS
12.1 Section 1. A teacher has a right to engage , directly
or indirectly , in legitimate income generation ,
provided that it does not relate to or adversely affect
his work.
12.2 Section 2. A teacher shall maintain a good
reputation with respect to financial matters such as in
the settlement of his just debts , loans and other
financial affairs.
12.3 Section 3. No teacher shall act , directly or
indirectly , as agent of , or be financially interested in
any commercial venture which publish 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.
13.ARTICLE XI – THE TEACHER AS A PERSON
13.1 Section 1. A teacher shall live with dignity in all
places at all times.
13.2 Section 2. A teacher shall premium upon self-
respect and self-discipline as the principle of personal
 behavior in all relationships with others and in all
situations.
13.3 Section 3. A teacher shall maintain at all times a
dignified personality which could serve as model
worthy of emulation by learners , peers and others.
13.4 Section 4. A teacher shall always recognize the
Almighty God or Being as guide of his own destiny
and of the destinies of men and nations.
14.ARTICLE XII – DISCIPLINARY ACTION
14.1 Section 1. 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 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 or R.A. 7836 and under Rule 31 ,
Article VIII , of the Rules and Regulations
Implementing R.A. 7836.
15.ARTICLE XIII – EFFECTIVITY
15.1 Section 1. This Code shall be approved by the
Professional regulation Commission and shall take
effect sixty (60) days following its publication in the
official Gazette or any newspaper of general
circulation , whichever is earlier.
IV. LEARNING TASKS

Learning Task No. 1

Direction : Using the provisions contained in the Code of
Ethics for Professional Teachers as your frame of reference ,
determine whether the following statements are True or
False. Write TRUE if the statement is true and write FALSE
if the statement does not conform with the Code.

__________1. The teacher shall recognize that the scholastic

ratings of learners are his first and foremost concern , and
shall handle each learner justly and impartially.
__________2. Under special circumstances , a teacher shall
be prejudiced against any learner.
__________3. A teacher has a right to sell tocino ,
longganiza , etc. provided that it does not adversely affect
his work.
__________4. A teacher is allowed to borrow money from
parents of his students and co-teachers provided there is a
written agreement.
__________5. Each teacher is a trustee of the cultural and
educational heritage of the nation.
__________6. A teacher is entitled to claim for work not of
his own, and shall give due credit for the work of others
which he may use.
__________7. A teacher can make false accusations or
charges against the school principal under anonymity.
__________8. Promotion and transfer of a teacher is made
only on the basis of merit and need in the interest of the
service.
__________9. A teacher shall not divulge documents which
have not yet been officially released.
__________10. Every teacher shall participate in seminars ,
conferences and training in compliance with the continuing
professional education program of the Department of
Education.
__________11. Every teacher shall provide leadership and
initiative to actively participate in community movements.
__________12. Every teacher shall merit reasonable social
recognition and refrain from such activities as gambling ,
drunkenness and smoking.
__________13. Every teacher shall welcome the
opportunity to extend counseling services to the
community especially in the barangay.
__________14. A teacher can engage in the promotion of
any political , religious and other partisan interest.
__________15. Every teacher shall take an oath to carry out
the declared policies of the government.
__________16. Every teacher shall vote and shall exercise
all other constitutional rights and responsibilities.
__________17. A teacher shall transact all official business
through channels.
__________18. A teacher may apply for a vacant position
for which he is qualified , provided that he respects the
system of selection.
__________19. No teacher shall act , directly or indirectly ,
as agent of a publishing company.
__________20. A teacher shall hear parent’s complaints
with understanding and shall discourage fair criticism
Learning Task No. 2

Article VI , Section 6 : 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. Using the internet and other sources of
information , Get a Sample Teacher’s Contract (specifying
the Terms and Conditions of his Employment)

Place the Sample Teacher’s Contract here :

Learning Task No. 3

Article VII , Section 4 : No school official shall dismiss or

recommend for dismissal a teacher except for just cause ( A
“just cause” refers to wrongdoings committed by the teacher
on the basis of which the aggrieved party may terminate the
employer-employee relationship). Using the internet and
other sources of information , identify the just causes for
terminating the services of teachers.
Learning Task No. 4
Direction : Online Research

Article VIII , Section 8 : What is ACADEMIC

Every teacher shall enjoy academic FREEDOM?
freedom and shall have the
privilege of sharing the product of
his researches and investigations ,
provided that , if the results are
inimical to the declared policies of
the State , they shall be drawn to
the proper authorities for
appropriate remedial action.

What is CORPORAL
Article VIII , Section 8 : PUNISHMENT?
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 III – Section 8 What is the meaning of to

A teacher possesses freedom to PROSELYTE?
attend church worship , as
appropriate , but shall not use his
position and influence to proselyte
others.
Learning Task No. 5
Direction : Read carefully the below-stated provisions of the
Code of Ethics for Teachers. Explain and give specific examples
in the context of teaching and learning.

READ EXPLAIN GIVE EXAMPLE

Article VIII , Section 5

A teacher shall not accept ,
directly or indirectly , any
remuneration from
tutorials other than what
is authorized for such
service.

Article VIII , Section 1

A teacher has the right
and duty to determine the
academic marks and the
promotion of learners in
the subjects they handle.
Such determination shall
be in accordance with
generally accepted
procedures of evaluation
and measurement. In case
of any complaint , teachers
concerned shall
immediately take
appropriate action ,
observing the process.
READ EXPLAIN GIVE EXAMPLE

Article III , Section 3

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 , drunkenness
and other excesses , much
less illicit relations.

Article V , Section 3
Before leaving his
position , a teacher shall
organize and leave to his
successor such records
and other data as are
necessary to carry on the
work.