In this post
Introduction
Ethical issues in education are a topic of which everyone within the sector should be aware. Unethical practices can have serious consequences for students, educators and the whole educational institution, and educators can face ethical dilemmas daily (Gluchmanova, 2015).
Professional ethics and standards are crucial in education, as they align with statutory requirements and ensure compliance. They help educators foster trust with students, parents and colleagues, as their adherence to ethical principles demonstrates integrity and reliability. They also ensure fairness, provide equal opportunities and avoid bias, all of which contribute to a positive and inclusive learning environment.
If educators follow ethical guidelines and standards, it contributes to their personal and professional growth and encourages continuous improvement. It can help them develop their teaching practices and skills, enhancing student success and overall outcomes. It also sets a good example to students and hopefully instils the same values to help them in the future.
Some ethical principles and standards guide the conduct of educators and educational institutions, and this blog aims to explore these, along with how they integrate into other aspects of the learning environment and wider educational setting.
Understanding Professional Ethics
The British Association for Early Childhood Education defines professional ethics as:
“The moral commitments of a profession that involve moral reflection that extends and enhances the personal morality practitioners bring to their work, that concern actions of right and wrong in the workplace, and that help individuals resolve moral dilemmas they encounter in their work.”
Professional ethics in education are standards, guidelines, principles and values that guide educators’ conduct and behaviour to maintain fairness, integrity and professionalism. It can influence educators’ interactions with students, parents and colleagues, and the wider educational community.
Educators should maintain high standards of ethics and behaviours in and outside the educational setting. They have ethical responsibilities in promoting student welfare, equity, and integrity, some of which are in the Teachers’ standards.
Some examples of educators’ ethical responsibilities include:
- Acting honestly and with integrity – they should act truthfully and adhere to strong ethical and moral principles.
- Acquiring ethical knowledge and demonstrating understanding– they should understand ethical and moral principles.
- Continuously improving their knowledge and skills– they should have good subject knowledge and keep it up-to-date, be self-critical and be committed to ongoing skill improvement.
- Treating others with dignity and respect – they should always treat people with dignity and respect to build relationships, regardless of their own beliefs.
- Observing proper boundaries – they should maintain professional boundaries and be mindful of situations where they could be crossed or violated.
- Safeguarding – they should have regard for the safeguarding of students, as per the law.
- Demonstrating tolerance– they should respect other people’s rights, values, faiths and beliefs.
- Building positive professional relationships – they should foster trust and collaborate with others to forge positive professional relationships.
With ethical responsibilities comes ethical dilemmas, which are:
“Situations in which the individual has to choose between two alternatives that are both considered unacceptable from a moral point of view” (Puiu, 2023).
Educators can face many ethical dilemmas, and some examples include (this list is not exhaustive):
- Exercising authority and using discipline while maintaining positive relationships with students.
- Avoiding getting personally involved with students and maintaining a professional distance. Balancing rapport with appropriate boundaries is often challenging.
- Balancing confidentiality with the educational provider’s policies, procedures and rules, e.g. a student confides in a teacher about a personal issue, and the teacher must decide if they should share the information with others and to what extent, i.e. to prevent a crime and for safeguarding purposes.
- Dealing with conflicts between family agendas, e.g. parental preferences or cultural practices, and educational standards and requirements.
- Helping struggling and disadvantaged students to succeed by assisted cheating, which can be intentional or unintentional.
- Ensuring fair distribution of resources can be difficult for students with inequalities relating to their family, ethnic and economic backgrounds.
- Observing colleagues behaving inappropriately or not carrying out their roles effectively and deciding whether to report their behaviour. Balancing loyalty to colleagues and the educational institution’s policies and rules can be tricky.
Educators must regularly make difficult decisions and choices, which can turn into ethical dilemmas (Heikkilä et al, 2023). Whatever ethical dilemmas educators face, they can deal with them by adopting ethical decision-making, a process they can use to make informed decisions based on ethical guidelines and principles. It helps them to navigate complex situations, evaluate their choices and decide on the best course of action while considering the practicality, impacts and ethical implications of making these decisions.
According to the University of Lincoln, ethical decision-making is “typically underpinned by common principles like fairness, honesty, and respect for others”. It is important to uphold professional standards. It also fosters trust among educators, colleagues, students and families. Overall, it contributes to a positive learning environment, enhances educator and student well-being, and can protect them and the educational institution from harm.
Legal and Regulatory Framework
Various legal and regulatory frameworks govern professional conduct, and compliance is mandatory. They differ depending on which of the UK countries the educator and educational institution is based.
England
- The Education Act 2002, as amended by the Education Act 2011 – regulates the teaching profession in England.
- The Teachers’ Disciplinary (England) Regulations 2012 (the Regulations), as amended by the Teachers’ Disciplinary (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2014 – provide information about the arrangements or disciplinary.
- Schools: statutory guidance – sets out what schools and local authorities must do to comply with the law.
- Teachers’ Standards guidance – applies in England and sets the minimum requirements for teachers’ practice and conduct. They cover areas such as professional conduct, teaching quality, and safeguarding.
Northern Ireland
- The General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland (Registration of Teachers) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2004 – covers the registration of teachers.
- The General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland (Registration of Teachers) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 – empower the GTCNI to consider cases and remove a teacher from the register on grounds of misconduct.
- The General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland Code of Values and Professional Practice – emphasises the core values underpinning professional practice.
- Further details are on the General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland here.
Scotland
- The Standards in Scotland’s Schools, etc. Act 2000, amended by the Education (Scotland) Act 2016 – covers various aspects of school education.
- Standards in Scotland’s Schools etc. Act 2000 statutory guidance – sets out what schools and education authorities must do to comply with the law.
- General Teaching Council for Scotland Professional Standards – required for teacher registration.
Wales
- The Education Workforce Council (Main Functions) (Wales) Regulations 2015, as amended – requires a published code that specifies the standards of professional conduct and practice expected of persons registered with the Education Workforce Council.
- Education Wales Professional Standards – apply to practitioners in Wales.
- The EWC Code of Professional Conduct and Practice for registrants – sets out the standards expected of those registered with the EWC.
There are also other codes and standards, depending on where a teacher works and if they are members of a professional body, for example:
- The National Code of Ethical Practice for UK Education Agents – education agents and digital agent networks representing UK educational institutions should adhere to these standards and best practices.
- Early years teachers’ standards and Early years foundation stage (EYFS) statutory framework – will apply if teachers work with early years children.
- SET Code of Ethics and Conduct – from the Society for Education and Training and will apply to teachers who are members of this professional body.
- The Chartered College of Teaching Code of Professional Conduct – their Code of Professional Conduct is based on the Teacher Standards and will apply to teachers who are members.
- Advance HE UK Professional Standards Framework (UKPSF) – a set of professional standards and guidelines for teachers in higher education.
There will also be codes and standards from individual educational institutions which educators must follow. The legal and regulatory frameworks may seem like a bit of a minefield. However, regulators, professional bodies and educational providers are there to help educators navigate them and understand their roles and responsibilities regarding their ethical and professional conduct.
Legal and regulatory frameworks, codes of practice and standards help to avoid unethical behaviour, which can have serious consequences for students, educators and the whole educational institution. Unethical behaviour can lead to legal and even criminal proceedings against educators, and they can face disciplinary action and have their registration removed. It can damage the reputation of educators and the educational institution, and it can also harm students’ well-being, trust, and educational experience and negatively impact their academic outcomes.
There are disciplinary measures in place to uphold professional integrity, which each educational institution should have detailed in their policies and procedures and should make educators and other relevant parties aware of what will happen if there are instances of unethical behaviours. Professional bodies and regulators can also initiate disciplinary procedures and investigations against educators if they receive reports or complaints. Further information is on:
- The Education Workforce Council – Fitness to practise.
- Teaching Regulation Agency – Teacher misconduct: disciplinary procedures.
- The General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland – Investigation process.
- The General Teaching Council for Scotland – Fitness to Teach.
Core Ethical Principles
Ethical principles guide educators’ professional conduct. According to the Teachers’ Standards, teachers should demonstrate consistently high standards of personal and professional conduct, uphold public trust in the profession and maintain high standards of ethics and behaviour, within and outside school. Educators can do this by:
- Treating students with dignity, building relationships rooted in mutual respect, and at all times observing proper boundaries appropriate to a teacher’s professional position.
- Having regard for the need to safeguard students’ well-being in accordance with statutory provisions.
- Showing tolerance of and respect for the rights of others
- Not undermining fundamental British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect, and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.
- Ensuring that personal beliefs are not expressed in ways which exploit students’ vulnerability or might lead them to break the law.
- Having proper and professional regard for the ethos, policies and practices of the school in which they teach and maintaining high standards in their own attendance and punctuality.
- Having an understanding of, and always acting within, the statutory frameworks which set out their professional duties and responsibilities.
Educators should also uphold core ethical principles, as stated in the Teachers’ standards. The code details the expectations for educators’ professional behaviour and conduct and emphasises eight principles, which require educators to:
- Set high expectations which inspire, motivate and challenge pupils.
- Promote good progress and outcomes by pupils.
- Demonstrate good subject and curriculum knowledge.
- Plan and teach well-structured lessons.
- Adapt teaching to respond to the strengths and needs of all pupils.
- Make accurate and productive use of assessment.
- Manage behaviour effectively to ensure a good and safe learning environment.
- Fulfil wider professional responsibilities.
The other UK countries have principles within their own codes, for example:
Northern Ireland – the Code of Values and Professional Practice for teachers emphasises core values, including trust, honesty, commitment, excellence, respect, fairness, equality, dignity, integrity, tolerance and service.
Scotland – the Code of Professionalism and Conduct sets out the key principles and values for registered teachers in Scotland, which are:
- Professionalism and maintaining trust in the profession.
- Professional responsibilities towards pupils.
- Professional competence.
- Professionalism towards colleagues, parents and carers.
- Equality and diversity.
Wales – the Code of Professional Conduct and Practice for Registrants outlines five key principles, such as:
- Personal and professional responsibility.
- Professional integrity.
- Collaborative working.
- Professional knowledge and understanding.
- Professional learning.
There are also the Nolan Principles for Public Life. While they are not specific to education, leaders and educators can use these principles for ethical conduct. These principles are:
- Selflessness.
- Integrity.
- Objectivity.
- Accountability.
- Openness.
- Honesty.
- Leadership.
The requirements of each principle are in each code and standard. Educators should familiarise themselves with those that are relevant to their setting. Overall, they should:
- Comply with relevant statutory provisions and the requirements of statutory bodies.
- Be open, truthful and transparent in all of their interactions, as it fosters trust and credibility.
- Always do the right thing, be honest and uphold strong moral values to maintain integrity.
- Appreciate and value people’s uniqueness and differences and treat everyone fairly and with dignity.
- Observe confidentiality, i.e. safeguard people’s personal and sensitive information and respect their privacy.
- Keep their knowledge and skills up to date and improve upon them by undertaking continuing professional development.
- Represent their professional position, qualifications or experience accurately and truthfully.
Some examples of how ethical principles are applied in various educational contexts include:
- Assessment, grading and giving feedback – when educators set assignments and assessments, mark and grade them and provide feedback, they must do so honestly and fairly and not treat students favourably or be biased, even if they are struggling and having difficulties grasping the concepts. It makes students aware of where to improve rather than deceiving them about their abilities.
- Creating learning content and environments – when educators are developing learning content and environments, they must consider all students’ needs rather than focusing on the interests and preferences of some of their students. They should adapt their teaching to meet the strengths and needs of all students and create inclusive learning environments.
- Integrating ethics into the curriculum – when educators include ethics in various subjects, e.g. case studies and discussions, it allows students to understand how to apply ethical principles to different situations.
- Modelling ethical behaviour – when educators demonstrate their professional and ethical conduct when interacting with their students, colleagues and others, they set a good example and serve as role models for ethical behaviour.
- Handling student information – when educators have access to student data, such as their personal information and records, or if students disclose to them privately, they should handle it confidentially. It fosters trust, which is essential for building positive relationships.
Student-Teacher Relationships
Student-teacher relationships are positive relationships between students and teachers where they trust and respect one another and maintain boundaries. Educators can create these relationships by getting to know their students, being respectful and fair, giving students a say in the learning and providing encouragement and constructive feedback.
It can be challenging to foster trust and build positive relationships with students, and educators often face challenges when maintaining them. However, it is vitally important for them to create and maintain connections with students to create a safe and supporting learning environment and enhance student outcomes and well-being.
Educators should be aware of the ethical considerations surrounding student-teacher relationships, including respect for student rights and ensuring their safety and well-being. They should be mindful of situations where relationships with students could cross boundaries, be deemed unprofessional, and even be classed as misconduct, e.g. breaches of confidentiality, unfair treatment, favouritism/bias, discrimination, physical assault, conflicts of interest, abuse of power, inappropriate relationships, etc.
Boundaries are important in ethical considerations, and they are limits or rules that educators should follow to maintain professional relationships with students and their colleagues and create a safe and secure learning environment. Professionalism and conduct are also vital. These are standards and how a person behaves in the educational setting.
Each educational institution will typically have specific policies, rules and guidelines regarding boundaries, professionalism, and appropriate conduct, which educators must familiarise themselves with and follow. However, here are some general examples of how educators can maintain boundaries and professionalism and conduct themselves appropriately with students:
- Dress appropriately and communicate respectfully.
- Avoid discussing personal topics and focus on students’ learning content.
- Be mindful of social media activity and avoid students’ personal social media accounts.
- Ensure online activity, even outside the educational setting, aligns with professional standards, rules and guidelines.
- Build rapport and trust while maintaining a professional distance and avoid favouritism.
- Safeguard student information and do not compromise their privacy or break trust by sharing their personal information with others without consent.
- Be consistent, treat all students fairly and provide equal opportunities in the learning environment.
- Communicate promptly to students and do so in a professional way. Avoid slang, emojis and topics that are not academic-related.
- Do not give or accept money from students or families.
- Set clear and consistent boundaries, e.g.:
- Communicate the times and availability for student consultations and adhere to them.
- Avoid out-of-hours contact unless it is an emergency.
- Be mindful of physical boundaries, e.g. avoid touching, invading students’ personal space and overly familiar gestures.
- Have sensitive conversations with students if they are crossing boundaries and make them aware of the importance of maintaining them.
Crossing and violating boundaries, being unprofessional and inappropriate conduct can have serious consequences. It can lead to improper relationships between teachers and students and abuse of power. Teachers can lose their careers and even be subject to criminal proceedings. It can harm students and their academic outcomes and well-being. It can also damage the educational institution’s reputation and Ofsted ratings.
Maintaining a safe and respectful learning environment free from exploitation or misconduct is vital, as it helps students to feel comfortable, able to express their ideas and engage more in their learning, which can help improve their academic performance and overall outcomes. It also enables educators to know they are maintaining boundaries, being professional and conducting themselves in a way that will help them improve their teaching practices and avoid situations that could potentially put themselves and their careers and reputations at risk.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
- Equality – ensuring that everyone in the educational setting can access the same opportunities and resources, which prevents discrimination and promotes fairness.
- Equity – providing targeted support and resources to those needing additional help to promote equal opportunities.
- Diversity – the differences between those in the educational setting and their uniqueness, which is recognised, valued, respected and even embraced.
- Inclusion – creating an environment where everyone feels welcome, respected, safe, and can participate fully.
Students and educators have different needs, preferences and interests and will be from various backgrounds. Some may also have special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Traditional learning environments and content can be a barrier, and there may be bias, discrimination, and systemic inequalities in educational practices to address.
Everyone in the educational setting should have equal opportunities and feel included, welcomed and respected, regardless of their needs or backgrounds. Some individuals may need additional support and targeted interventions. However, all should be able to reach their full potential and thrive, whether it is an educator in their career or a student in their education. Therefore, there is an ethical imperative to promote equality, diversity, and inclusion in education to ensure a fair, supportive and inclusive learning environment and educational community. It is the just and moral thing to do.
It is vital to address bias, discrimination, and systemic inequalities in educational practices and here are some examples of strategies that may help:
- Leaders within the educational institution championing equality, diversity and inclusion and ensuring these concepts are at the forefront of policies and practices. They should also set a good example and be respectful in their own interactions with people within the educational community.
- Follow legal frameworks, such as the Equality Act 2010, and specific codes of practice and standards to ensure statutory and ethical compliance.
- Have robust equality, diversity and inclusion, anti-discrimination and anti-bullying policies and ensure they are implemented and monitored regularly. Everyone should be aware of these policies and their roles and responsibilities regarding their implementation.
- Provide educators and other staff with relevant training and support to provide them with the knowledge and skills to help them recognise and challenge discrimination, prejudice, stereotyping and bias. They should be encouraged to self-reflect and be aware of their own biases and assumptions.
- Adapt learning content, teaching practices and the classroom environment to ensure it reflects diverse perspectives and cultures. Educators could use examples of under-represented individuals and communities and have themed activities and assignments. Embracing diversity can create safe and welcoming spaces.
- Provide individualised support and resources to those who need it, e.g. SEND and marginalised students, to ensure equitable learning so they can access the same education as other students.
- Encourage reporting of incidents of discrimination and suggestions for improvements to address inequalities. An educational community approach involving educators, other staff, students and families may be useful in identifying solutions to address any disparities.
Educators have a critical role in creating inclusive classrooms that celebrate diversity and support all students’ learning needs. They should get to know their students and understand their needs, interests, preferences and learning styles. They should also collaborate with others, such as their colleagues, families and other professionals where necessary, identify where additional support is required and tailor their teaching practices and learning environments, e.g. differentiated and adaptive learning, to meet student needs and to make them feel safe, respected, included and valued.
CPD Online College has further information on promoting equality and diversity in the classroom here. They also have an article on inclusive practice here.
Confidentiality and Privacy
Educators may have access to personal data about students, colleagues, and families. Personal data is “any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person” (GDPR), e.g. personal information, academic records, employee information, health details, and even biometric data. People’s data should be protected and privacy, security and confidentiality maintained. There are laws surrounding these areas, such as the Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR.
In addition to legal obligations, educators have ethical duties to protect people’s information to foster a safe and secure environment for students, their colleagues and families. Professional codes of conduct, standards, and organisational policies and procedures should detail educators’ responsibilities regarding confidentiality and privacy.
It is vital to uphold confidentiality and privacy with all information and data, especially if sensitive. Educators must take additional care and safeguard sensitive data/information about students, colleagues, and families. It is important for the following reasons:
- It is vital for compliance with legal and regulatory requirements and statutory codes and standards.
- It prevents data breaches and cyber-attacks, which could compromise people’s confidentiality, privacy and security.
- It protects children and young people from harm, especially those classed as vulnerable, and is vital in safeguarding.
- It fosters trust and enhances the educational institution’s reputation when confidentiality and privacy are maintained and demonstrates respect and a commitment to people’s dignity.
Ethical dilemmas can arise when balancing confidentiality with the need for communication and collaboration in educational settings, and there may be instances where information must be shared for safeguarding purposes. Here are some ways educators can balance these areas:
- Familiarise themselves with the legal and ethical frameworks surrounding data protection, confidentiality and privacy,
- Follow organisational policies, procedures and practices regarding processing personal data.
- Ensure strict confidentiality of personal information and do not share it with anyone unless they obtain consent.
- Foster trust with students and families by making them aware of the information stored and situations where it may have to be shared with others.
- Consider whether the sharing of information is necessary and relevant.
- When sharing information, ensure it is correct and timely and use the correct and secure channels.
- Always be transparent and inform students and families how their data will be used.
- Seek advice if they have any concerns about sharing or disclosing information.
- Always consider the person’s safety and well-being and anyone else who could be impacted by sharing the information.
- Keep records of any information shared and the reasons for doing so.
- Address any privacy or confidentiality breaches promptly and follow established procedures for reporting.
Further information
- Department for Education – Data protection in schools.
- Department for Education – Information sharing advice for safeguarding practitioners.
- ICO – A 10-step guide to sharing information to safeguard children.
Academic integrity
“A commitment to six fundamental values: honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility, and courage” (International Centre for Academic Integrity (ICAI)).
“Refers to the ethical principles and values that guide ethical behaviour in academic settings. It involves demonstrating honesty, respect for intellectual property, and a commitment to upholding academic standards” (Activate Learning).
Intellectual property (IP)
“Creations of the mind, such as inventions; literary and artistic works; designs; and symbols, names and images used in commerce” (World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO)),
There are ethical principles relating to academic integrity and intellectual property, which are:
- Honesty, e.g. being truthful and transparent.
- Fairness (justice), e.g. treating everyone fairly and avoiding favouritism.
- Conflict of interest, e.g. managing potential conflicts.
- Responsibility, e.g. adhering to ethical standards and taking ownership of one’s work.
- Courage, e.g. upholding integrity, even in challenging situations.
- Respect, e.g. treating others with respect and valuing other’s unique perspectives.
With academic integrity comes a respect for intellectual property, which is achieved by:
- Properly referencing (citing) sources.
- Avoiding plagiarism, i.e. presenting someone else’s work or ideas as their own.
- Acknowledging and recognising other individuals’ work and contributions.
Educators should set a good example for students and teach them the importance of academic integrity and intellectual property. They should promote honesty, originality, and proper citation practices among students. Some examples of strategies on how they can achieve this include the following:
- Clear policies – there should be clear policies covering academic honesty, misconduct and plagiarism. Educators should be aware of these policies and communicate the requirements to students. They should also ensure they robustly enforce them and inform students of situations where academic misconduct could occur.
- Educating students – educators have an essential role in teaching students about plagiarism and how to reference (cite) sources correctly. They should highlight the importance of crediting original authors and can also signpost students to various guidance and reference management tools.
- Electronic plagiarism detection tools and resources – educators can use tools, e.g. Turnitin, to identify plagiarism. They can then provide feedback to students, highlight where it has occurred and deal with the situation appropriately.
- Create unique tasks and activities – if educators create unique assignments and assessments that promote creativity, collaboration and critical thinking, students are less likely to commit plagiarism (Salmons, 2022). They should encourage students to explore various approaches and be flexible in their thinking.
- Design an integrity-based learning environment – educators can create a learning environment and a classroom culture and integrate academic integrity. They can set a good example, respond appropriately if plagiarism or cheating occurs and share good practices with students.
Students and educators can face serious consequences for plagiarism and academic dishonesty. Both may be subject to internal and/or external disciplinary procedures and can also bring themselves and the educational institution into disrepute.
Students’ grades can be affected, and in worse cases, there may be legal consequences and expulsions, especially if caught cheating. It can affect their career and overall future success. Educators can damage their reputations and their credibility if they fail to detect plagiarism or are found to have been dishonest. It may lead to dismissal and even removal of registration.
Professional Development and Accountability
Ongoing professional development is also vital in upholding ethical standards. Educators should undertake ongoing professional development as part of their role to ensure they deliver the best possible teaching to students. It can improve their teaching practices and benefit student outcomes when they integrate ethical principles.
Legal and regulatory frameworks, the standard for teachers’ professional development, and various codes of conduct and practice require educators to maintain and develop professional practice and refresh and develop their knowledge and skills through continuing professional development (CPD). They must do this to meet the requirements for full registration.
Accountability is also crucial, which means taking responsibility and ownership for your own actions/decisions and justifying why they were necessary. It upholds ethical standards, fosters transparency and trust and promotes fairness and equality. If educators are held accountable, it can also enhance ethical behaviour and improve student outcomes.
In addition to ongoing professional development and accountability in upholding ethical standards, reflective practice, peer support, and continuing education are also important, particularly in ethical decision-making:
Reflective practice
- Educators can reflect on their past actions, experiences and decisions and critically analyse them, which can help them learn lessons, identify areas of improvement and make better choices in the future.
- It helps them understand and apply ethical principles effectively, recognise and deal with ethical dilemmas when they occur and consider various solutions.
Peer support
- Educators can seek support and guidance from their colleagues (their peers). They can discuss ethical dilemmas together and learn from each other’s experiences, which can provide alternative views. They can also provide feedback, which can help educators make decisions.
- It promotes collaboration and emotional support and helps educators solve problems and find solutions.
Continuing education
- Educators should continue their learning to remain in the loop about industry best practices, legal requirements, and ethical standards.
- It helps them to keep their knowledge and skills up to date, boosts their confidence and enhances their competence, which can help them in ethical decision-making.
- They can continue their education through CPD, required to remain registered with regulators and professional bodies.
The importance of self-regulation and accountability mechanisms in maintaining public trust and confidence in the teaching profession cannot be understated. These mechanisms include adhering to ethical principles, codes of conduct and standards and being assessed against certification schemes.
It:
- Demonstrates that educators are held responsible for their actions and decisions that can impact learners, which can foster confidence and trust in the profession and educational institution.
- Ensures educators comply with high ethical, competency and professional standards and hold themselves accountable, which can enhance people’s perceptions of the quality of education.
- Encourages educators to continuously improve their teaching practices and skills, which can boost the credibility of the teaching profession and overall educational system.
- Prevents unethical behaviour and professional misconduct, which can enhance the reputation of the profession and educational system.
- Enables educators to be flexible and adapt to changes in curriculum, student needs and stakeholder expectations, which can help them to continue to be effective.
Overall, these mechanisms ensure educators provide high-quality teaching and foster trust and confidence with students, families and the wider public.
Conclusion
Professional ethics is vital in education to understand how to manage ethical dilemmas and maintain professional conduct. Various legal and regulatory frameworks, standards and codes of practice require educators and educational institutions to consider specific ethical principles in their teaching practices, the learning environment and the wider educational setting.
Educators must uphold ethical principles. They guide their professional conduct and help them avoid crossing/violating boundaries, professional misconduct and inappropriate behaviour. They should also be good role models for ethical behaviour in their professional practice, as their students are likely to follow their example and integrate them into their education, career and life.
Educators have numerous ethical and moral responsibilities, which they must understand and familiarise themselves with. They should adhere to ethical principles when building student-teacher relationships, integrating equality, diversity and inclusion into their practices and maintaining confidentiality and privacy. They should also ensure they uphold academic integrity, avoid plagiarism and teach their students about its importance and the consequences of dishonesty.
Ethical conduct, adherence to professional standards, ongoing professional development and accountability are crucial in education. It enables educators to provide high-quality teaching, enhances the credibility of the educational institution and fosters trust between them, students, families and the public. It also provides an inclusive, safe and secure learning environment for students where they can reach their full potential and get the best possible education.