Activity 12: Law and Ethics influence on professional context

Activity 12
Code of Ethics
                                         The Purpose of Code of Ethics?
                                                  

(Education Council, 2015b) The four principles

My interactions with the Code of Ethics occurs very rarely which is interesting because it is what regulates teachers' behaviour and conduct. It appears first in teacher training and only appears again as a  disciplinary tool.  It's best to think about what is the purpose of the Code of ethics exactly?

Code of Ethics is under the 4 principles that interact in tension.

(Education Council, 2015a)

In your opinion are ethical codes of conduct reflective of societal norms or essential principles of humanity?

Ethical codes were there for people who want to act in a morally correct manner (Collste, 2012). They give an order to chaos. Ethical codes are made to make sure humanity is intact - makes sure the power is not abused. It acts as a way to regulate our behaviour and ensure we are working in a professional manner for humanity. However, it is a difficult process to deconstruct what it means to be human and during the process societal norms take over under a guise of humanity eg. Let's say truth is an essential human principle. In the process of creating the code of ethics, what it means to be truthful to yourself is deconstructed. Society norms then take over (especially if time is limited) and we construct what society believes being truthful is - the societal norm.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of having a Code of Ethics?

The purpose of the code of ethics is to make sure every professional is on the same page. The advantage of having a code of ethics is that there is consistency among professionals and a shared vision. It holds the best interest for the students/learners and defines professionalism. In my last post, I talked about how there is no social media policy guiding the staff. However, if they keep to the Code of Ethics even though there is no policy there is guidelines to direct the professionals.

However, the Code of Ethics can be a top-down process and in hands of many professional leaders it is delivered in a top down process. We get told to be professional and respectful. However the concept of being professional and respect can have different cultural meanings. The code of ethics is usually tainted with the dominant cultural views of being professional and respectful. 

The code of ethics doesn't acknowledge the "grey area" situations. An example was an ex-teacher who told the class they are leaving because the other staff members were lazy. How does one deal with this? Commitment to learners, professional relationships versus what he perceives being truthful - what takes principles? The best interest of the learner?

In your own field to what degree are ethics concerned to protect individual rights and to what degree do they exist to minimise organisational risk? How is the balance between the two distributed?

I think the idea behind the Code of ethics is that it is an equal distribution between protecting the individual (teachers/students/learner/community) and protecting the organisation (teaching body/school). It is broad enough to cover both. However, reality doesn't match. Code of Ethics is pulled out when a teacher needs to be disciplined or not following the organization's rule. It leans towards protecting an organization and not the individual rights. In the wrong hands, it becomes a rule book.

With the new Education Council and the potential of the council bringing a Code of Conduct. It becomes rules rather than guidelines.

The purpose of the Code of ethics? Give an order to chaos, ensure power is equal, shared vision and guidelines to being professionals. Can it answer ethical dilemmas? Yes and No. We need to keep in mind the culture dominance and the grey area of the code of ethics.

References

Collste, G. (2012). Applied and Professional Ethics. Kemanusiaan. 19(1). Retrieved from

http://web.usm.my/kajh/vol19_1_2012/KAJH19_1_2012_2.pdf

Education Council. (2015a). Code of Ethics for Certified Teachers. Retrieved from
http://www.educationcouncil.org.nz/sites/default/files/coe-poster-english.pdf

Education Council. (2015b). Ethical Decisions. Retrieved from
http://www.educationcouncil.org.nz/content/ethical-decisions#overlay-context=content/code-ethics-
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