TEACHERS’ PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT AND ETHICS

A/P Chang Shook Cheong

National Institute of Education
Nanyang Technological University

At the convocation of all the trainees from the National Institute of Education they have
to make the professional pledge led by the valedictorian:
“We, the teachers of Singapore pledge that,

We will be true to our mission to bring out the best in our pupils

We will guide our pupils to be good and useful citizens of Singapore

We will continue to learn and pass on the love of learning to our pupils

We will win the trust, support and co-operation of parents and the community so
as to enable us to achieve our mission”

The above Teachers’ Pledge spells out our mission and contribution towards
education of the young Singaporean.

Teachers must recognize the magnitude of the responsibility inherent in the

teaching process. The desire for the respect and confidence of one’s colleagues, of
students and of the members of the community provides the incentive to attain and
maintain the highest possible degree of ethical conduct. The Code of Ethics of the
Teaching Profession indicates the aspirations of all teachers and provides the standards by
which to judge conduct.

The two key principles in the Code of Ethics for the Teaching Profession are

1. Commitment to the Student:

Teachers must strive to help each student to realize his or her potential as a worthy and
effective member of the society. Teachers in fulfillment of obligation to the students

 Shall not unreasonably restrain the student from independent action in the
pursuit of learning.
 Shall not deliberately suppress or distort subject matter relevant to the
student's progress.
 Shall not unreasonably deny the student's access to varying points of view.
 Shall make reasonable effort to protect the student from conditions harmful to
learning or to health and safety.
 Shall not intentionally expose the student to embarrassment or disparagement.
 Shall not on the basis of race, color, creed, sex, national origin, marital status,
political or religious beliefs, family, social or cultural background, or sexual
orientation, unfairly--
o Exclude any student from participation in any program
 o Deny benefits to any student
o Grant any advantage to any student
 Shall not use professional relationships with students for private advantage.
 Shall not disclose information about students obtained in the course of
professional service unless disclosure serves a compelling professional
purpose or is required by law.

2. Commitment to the Profession

In the belief that the quality of the services of the education profession directly influences
the nation and its citizens, teachers shall exert every effort to raise professional standards,
to promote a climate that encourages the exercise of professional judgement:

To fulfill the obligations to the profession, teachers:

 Shall not in an application for a professional position deliberately make a false
statement or fail to disclose a material fact related to competency and
qualifications.
 Shall not misrepresent his/her professional qualifications.
 Shall not assist any entry into the profession of a person known to be unqualified
in respect to character, education, or other relevant attribute.
 Shall not knowingly make a false statement concerning the qualifications of a
candidate for a professional position.
 Shall not assist a non-educator in the unauthorized practice of teaching.
 Shall not disclose information about colleagues obtained in the course of
professional service unless disclosure serves a compelling professional purpose or
is required by law.
 Shall not knowingly make false or malicious statements about a colleague.

ATTIRE
In Singapore, our trainees are employed untrained teachers with the Ministry of
Education and hence one is required to project a positive total image of teachers. A dress
code for trainee teachers on campus has been established and trainee teachers are
expected to observe the code of attire. Teachers-in-service should dress with neat and
appropriate clothing for work. Principals or Branch Heads can decide on what constitutes
appropriate dressing.

Dress Code for Trainee Teachers on Campus

NIE aims to cultivate a positive teacher culture among its trainee teachers so that they
may develop into cultured teachers. A cultured teacher is one who is smart looking,
confident, caring, creative, and a mentor, learner and leader.

As part of the desire to project a positive total image of teachers, a dress code for
trainee teachers on campus has been established and trainee teachers are expected to
observe the code.
 Unacceptable Attire for Males Unacceptable Attire for Females

1. Vulgarities, obscenities or offensive 1. Vulgarities, obscenities or offensive

prints on T-shirts prints
on T-shirts/blouses

2. Translucent or body hugging T- 2. Translucent or body-hugging outfits

shirts

3. Torn jeans 3. Torn jeans

4. Shorts 4. Shorts

5. Face coverings that prevent ready 5. Face coverings that prevent ready
identification of the wearer identification of the wearer

6. Sleeveless T-shirts 6. Skirts shorter than 4 fingers above

the knees

7. Singlets 7. Hipsters and skin-fit bottoms

8. Provocative & revealing attire (eg.

exposed midriffs, bare backs,
spaghetti straps, tubes, tank-tops)

Unacceptable Hair/Accessories Unacceptable Hair/Accessories

1. Unnatural hair colour 1. Unnatural hair colour

2. Body piercing 2. Body piercing

3. Hair covering ears, eyebrows or 3. Multiple ear-studs/earrings

shirt collars

Unacceptable Footwear Unacceptable Footwear

1. Footwear without heel straps (eg 1. Footwear without heel straps (eg
slippers) slippers)

Conduct and Discipline

The trained teachers are expected to conduct themselves in a manner which upholds the
integrity of the Ministry of Education. Integrity is the top moral value to be observed by
all civil servants.
 Disciplinary action will be meted out for misconduct offences. Disciplinary
actions include
 Written reprimand
 Verbal or written warning
 Stoppage of increments
 Fine
 Reduction of rank
 Retirement in public interest (with or without reduction in retirement benefits)
and
 Dismissal.

Examples of Misconduct Offences

 Unpunctuality
 Absence from duty without leave
 Sleeping whilst on duty
 Neglect of duty
 Being under the influence of alcohol or drugs while on duty
 Inappropriate in dress or appearance
 Being rude or discourteous to the public
 Speaking dispraisingly of the Government
 Conduct prejudicial to good order or discipline
 Outside employment without prior approval
 Inflicting corporal punishment
 Non-compliance with or disobedience of orders or instructions
 Making a false or misleading statement in the course of duty
 Immoral behaviour
 Shoplifting or theft or robbery
 Illegal gambling or book-making
 Financial malpractice
 Dishonesty or embezzlement
 Corruption.

Broadcasts and Telecasts

Officers must obtain permission from the Ministry through the Principal/Branch Heads
before accepting any invitation to make or provide materials for any form of broadcast.

This includes issues directly or indirectly related to their official work,

presentation at public seminars; and speaking or working with the press. If permission is
granted, teachers cannot retain any fees, royalties or benefits derived from these
activities.

Entertainment
Officers cannot accept invitations to be entertained by their subordinates or any
associations comprising of members of the public, with whom they have dealings, until
retirement from service.
Financial Embarrassment
Officers are not allowed to borrow money from any person with whom they have official
dealings, or sign promising notes. This is to ensure that officers do not succumb to the
temptations of living beyond their means, and to prevent any abuse of their official
position.

An officer is deemed to be financially embarrassed if he/she

 Is an undischarged bankrupt;
 Has signed a promising note or an acknowledgment of indebtedness;
 Has unsecured debts and liabilities which exceed 3 months of his/her
total emolument or
 Is reported to be a judgement debtor.

Officers are required to make a declaration on whether they are financially

embarrassment or otherwise.

Gifts/Presents
Officers are not allowed to solicit any gifts, discounts or special favors from their
subordinates, the public, students or parents on account of their official profession or
official work, whether in the form of money, goods, free presents or other personal
benefits.

Outside Employment
Part-time employment outside will only be granted if it is in an area relevant to an
officer’s work, or enhances what officers do at work. Prior approval must be sought from
Principal/ Branch Head before taking up part-time outside employment. Part-time work
cannot exceed 6 hours per week.

Private Investment
Officers may invest in stocks and shares in a public-listed company but cannot purchase
stocks and shares offered to them of a private placement basis. Officer may also invest in
land or property, provided they do not take up discounts or other concessions to buy
them. Officers must declare all details of investment/purchase of properties. If officers
are financially embarrassed and /or make a false declaration, they will be liable to
disciplinary proceeding that may lead to their dismissal from service.

Participation in External Activities

If officers were to participate in external activities such as conducting examinations,
delivering speeches, lectures and talks, writing for publication and filing for patents,
officers must ensure that the following principles must be abided:

 The external activities should not potentially bring the Civil Service into
disrepute
 The external activities should not lead to any direct or potential conflict of
interest with their official appointment/duties
  The external activities should not adversely affect their official duties. If
work performance is affected, approval granted in the first instance should
be rescinded.

Officers do not need to seek permission to engage in external activities that are
relevant to normal job scope or official duty provided that it would not affect their time,
material or resources are used.

Reference
1． NIE General Information Handbook (2005)
2． Strike, K. and Soltis, J.F. (1998) The Ethics of Teaching (3rd edition) New
York: Teachers College Press