Code of Conduct for Teachers: Addressing Ethical Dilemmas in Schools

This essay analyzes the Victorian Teaching Profession Code of Conduct, focusing on ethical dilemmas faced by teachers in school settings. It explores scenarios involving a 9-year-old student with ADHD and behavioral issues, and a 16-year-old in a residential home. The essay highlights the importance of professional competence, mandatory reporting, maintaining confidentiality, and respecting legal requirements. It emphasizes the role of the code of conduct in guiding teachers' actions, promoting ethical decision-making, and ensuring the well-being of students. The analysis covers issues such as maintaining professional relationships with parents, addressing social media concerns, and safeguarding students from potential dangers. The conclusion reinforces the significance of adhering to the code of conduct for creating a positive environment and fulfilling civil obligations, with references to relevant literature supporting the discussion.

TEACHERS’ CODE OF CONDUCT
FOR ISSUES AT SCHOOL

Introduction
Ethics are considered to be a moral principle that serves as a guideline for governing the
behaviour of individuals and conducting of activity in virtuous way. In issues related to school it
is essential that Code of Conduct is followed ardently for maintenance of ethical standards,
professional conduct and professional competence (vit.vic.edu.au, 2019).
The aim of the essay is to analyse the Code of Conduct as set of values which is accompanied by
Code of Ethics related to integrity respect and responsibility and provides a guideline for
maintenance of professional standards for teachers and educational authorities. The study will
evaluate the professional and personal conduct that is expected to be followed by the teacher by
the parents and community.
The essay will achieve the aim by discussing experiences related to issues and dilemmas face in
the school and application of code of conduct as a common practice. The essay will evaluate
cases involving situation related to personal and professional dilemmas and discuss it in the light
of code of conduct that must be followed by the teachers and educational authorities in order to
resolve the issues. The study aims to clarify the fact that code of conduct is not disciplinary tools
and covers specific issues. Through application of Code of Conduct to be followed in Victorian
Teaching profession the study set of principles that will work as a guideline for teachers to
regulate the conduct and assist them in resolving ethical dilemmas and promoting public
confidence related to the profession of teaching (vit.vic.edu.au, 2019). The study aims to
conclude through understanding of the fact that Code of Conduct helps in promoting of
adherence of values that teachers consider as underpinning their professions.
This essay will discuss the Victorian teaching profession code of conduct for resolving dilemmas
and ethical issues occurring at school.
The Victorian teaching profession principles states that teachers are aware about the legal
requirements that pertain to their profession and are cognisant of legal responsibilities
(vit.vic.edu.au, 2019). They undertake responsibilities related to mandatory reporting and
maintain occupational health and safety. In the given case scenario, the 9 year student is
suffering from severe attention deficit disorder (ADHD) and behavioural issues. The discussion
by staff members for not willing to undertake mandatory reporting of the student goes against the
professional competence standards and maintenance of legal requirements. It is essential to
follow the code of conduct and understand the issues.
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It is important that values are enforced in practice through principles. In the given scenario as a
coordinator it's important to follow professional competence and understand behavioural issues
faced by the student. It is essential that integrity is maintained acting in the best interest of
student and also maintenance of professional relationship with student and parents understanding
the reasons leading to search behavioural issues (Thomas et al. 2018). The discussions among
the staff members for or not making mandatory reporting goes against the professional
competence standards and it is a responsibility as a coordinator to work cooperatively with the
colleagues for acting in the best interest of the student. It is essential that equitable treatment is
provided to all students and respect and impartiality of treatment is provided to every student
irrespective of the behavioural issues. It is duty of the coordinator ensure that the staff follows
the mandatory reporting process which is in compliance with the legal requirements to be
followed under the code of conduct (vit.vic.edu.au, 2019).
It is essential that assessment of the behavioural issues faced by the student is undertaken along
with discussion the issues with parents. It is essential for the Teachers for maintaining
professional relationship with parents and communicates and consults with parents for
understanding and in sensitive manner for taking appropriate action while responding to parental
concerns. As has been notified by the mother of student relays the same challenging behaviour in
the school and home. It is part of duty of teachers to understand the perspectives of the parents
while taking decisions which will have a definitive impact on his well-being and education. The
maintenance of confidentiality related to personal conversations made by the student must also
be maintained as a part of code of conduct (vit.vic.edu.au, 2019).
Through identification of dilemmas in school issues, code of conduct plays a role in redirecting
the Coordinator and staff members to resolve the issues and work towards the eradicating the
issues. The staff members must evaluate the background of the student and must not show bias
or preferential treatment towards the student (O’Donnell and Gersch, 2015). The teachers must
consider the fact students come from diverse background and the onus lies with the teachers to
work collaboratively with families of the students to take measures.
The dilemma identified in the case of Sharon, a 16 year living in residential home have
developmental delays and is under a great risk because of her inconsiderate actions taken on
social media websites through her newly acquired phone. The phone has been gifted by her
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mother and is personal property of Sharon on which the teaching staff has no control. However
as per the best interest of the student and adhering code of conduct it is essential that teachers
take steps for protecting us from intimidation, embarrassment or humiliation (vit.vic.edu.au,
2019). The teachers must work towards creating an environment that promotes mutual respect
and help Sharon to understand the fact that her actions can have dangerous implications. It is
required that student's privacy related to sensitive matters are maintained but it's the duty of the
residential staff to reveal the information to Sharon's parents in order to prevent the serious or
dangerous implications her actions may have on her welfare (Maich et al. 2016). The residential
staff decision to cut off internet access is required actions as per the code of conduct prescribing
using consequences to commensurate with offence that are aimed at disciplining the student.
The staff members of the residential home must be guided by the code of conduct to take
decision in the best interest of Sharon. The staff members must consult and communicate the
matters with parents to take timely, understandable measures in sensitive manners
(vit.vic.edu.au, 2019).
The principles that have been identified in the scenario is to safeguard Sharon from potentially
dangerous implications that can occur from her actions on social media while respecting her
privacy and maintain restrictive practices in matters of personal property (Graham et al. 2018).
The discussion among staff members for taking curative measures related to possible actions that
can be taken for restricting the access of Sharon to social media websites through her phone
abides the code of conduct. The action of the staff members must show adherence to use of
appropriate forums for having constrictive debates regarding the wellbeing of students and
protecting them from potential dangers (vit.vic.edu.au, 2019). The staff members must be aware
of the legal requirements pertaining to their professional behaviour and refrain from taking
actions that may lead to harassment or vilification or matters of privacy. As Sharon considers
confiscating her mobile by the staff members will pertain to stealing it is important that staff
members of the residential home maintain high standard of professional competence and
complete duties in responsible way (Butlin and Trimmer, 2018). It may be pointed out that it
teachers are expected to maintain respect for rule of law and must serve as a positive example for
performing of civil obligations. The code of conduct demonstrates respect by acknowledging
parents as partners in welfare and education of children. The staff members can collaborate with
Sharon's mother to take effective steps that will help in protecting her from dangerous
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implication in future. The responsibilities that staff members must carry out include consulting
Sharon's mother about her behaviour and actions and undertaking punitive measures that in the
best interest of Sharon. The staff members must also ensure that their actions in no way causes
any harassment to Sharon or creates a notion of uncivil behaviour like stealing by the staff
members (vit.vic.edu.au, 2019).
Conclusion
It can be safely concluded from the study that maintain of principles of code of conduct related
to teaching is essential for creating a positive role model for community and educational settings.
The study emphasises the fact that respecting the rule of law and providing of positive example
in performing civil obligations must be the top priority of teachers and educational authorities.
The legal requirement must be strictly adhere by the teachers in carrying out legal
responsibilities including mandatory reporting and harassment or vilification. It is also
highlighted that principles of code of conduct helps in developing values that underpin
professional integrity, responsibility and respect. It is evident that code of conduct serves as
guidance for coordinator and staff members of residential home to take right decisions. Through
the case of Sharon and 9 year old student, provides a better insight to analyse the code of conduct
and discuss the principles that must be abided.
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References
Butlin, M. and Trimmer, K., 2018. The Need for an Understanding of Education Law Principles
by School Principals. In The Palgrave Handbook of Education Law for Schools (pp. 3-21).
Palgrave Macmillan, Cham.
Graham, A., Bahr, N., Truscott, J. and Powell, M.A., 2018. Teachers’ Professional Boundary
Transgressions: A Literature Review. Viewed 16 May 2019,
<https://www.qct.edu.au/pdf/Transgressions.pdf>
Maich, K., Levine, D. and Hall, C., 2016. Preschool-to-School-Age Case Studies Constructed
Around Research and Ethics. In Applied Behavior Analysis (pp. 311-342). Springer, Cham.
O’Donnell, G.M. and Gersch, I.S., 2015. Professional and ethical issues when working with
children and adolescents. Handbook of Professional and Ethical Practice for Psychologists,
Counsellors and Psychotherapists, p.184.
Thomas, S., Sciberras, E., Lycett, K., Papadopoulos, N. and Rinehart, N., 2018. Physical
functioning, emotional, and behavioral problems in children with ADHD and comorbid ASD: a
cross-sectional study. Journal of attention disorders, 22(10), pp.1002-1007.
vit.vic.edu.au (2019), The Victorian Teaching Profession Code of Conduct, Viewed 16 May
2019, <https://www.vit.vic.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0018/35604/Code-of-Conduct-
2016.pdf>
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