Teachers (Code of Ethics and Practice) Regulations, 2012

L.N. 414 of 2012

EDUCATION ACT

(CAP. 327)

Teachers (Code of Ethics and Practice) Regulations, 2012

IN exercise of the powers conferred by article 40 of the

Education Act, the Minister of Education and Employment, after

consultation with the Council for the Teaching Profession, has made

the following regulations:-

The title of these regulations is the Teachers (Code of

Ethics and Practice) Regulations, 2012.

Teachers’ Code of Ethics and Practice

A. Purpose, Scope and Status

The Code sets out the key principles of good conduct and

practice for teachers in Malta and Gozo. It is intended to guide

teachers’ practice judgements and decisions and inform parents,

and the community of these standards. It also informs members

of the community of the standards expected of teachers. It is

not, however, a definitive or exhaustive guide. Neither should it

be read as a blueprint to be followed unreflectively by teachers.

As professionals, teachers are to constantly engage with the

principles outlined in a critical manner, taking into account the

educational value of the particular relationships with persons

within particular teaching and learning situations and processes.

The Code is intended to encourage teachers to adopt an

informed approach to their teaching and its contexts and to

reflect on the good and correct practices as professional

teachers. A teacher shall endeavour to be a role model and shall

act within the community in a manner which enhances the

prestige of the profession.

B. Glossary of Terms

"The Code" means the Teachers’ Code of Ethics and Practice;

"The Council" means the Council for the Teaching Profession in

Malta established by article 26 of the Education Act (Cap. 327);

"Media" means the social media (including web- and mobile-

based technologies) such as social networks and blogs; digital

media including e-mail, internet, text messaging; electronic

media and print media;

"Parent" means the father or the mother and includes any person

who has the care and custody, whether legal or actual, of a

student;

"Role Model" means any person who serves as an example and

whose behaviour is emulated by others;

"Student" means learners and students at primary, secondary

and further education levels in all educational institutions;

"Teacher" means members of the teaching profession in Malta

who are granted a warrant to practice the profession in Malta as

provided in Part III of the Education Act. The term "Teacher"

does not include a Kindergarten or Learning Support Assistant,

a teacher in a school teaching a language as a foreign language,

or any person who renders a teaching service in cultural, sport

and religious sectors, insofar as this teaching is not being

imparted as an integral part of compulsory education in terms of

the curriculum in a licensed school.

C. Key Principles

Key Principle One

Maintain Trust in the Profession

Members of the Teaching Profession shall

1.1 base their relationship with students on mutual trust and

respect;

1.2 have regard to the safety and wellbeing of students under

their responsibility;

1.3 respect the uniqueness and diversity of the learning

community they are part of;

1.4 work in a collaborative manner with colleagues and other

professionals;

1.5 develop and maintain good relationships with parents,

guardians and carers;

1.6 act with honesty, integrity and fairness;

1.7 be sensitive to the need for confidentiality where

appropriate;

1.8 take responsibility for maintaining the quality of their

professional practice;

1.9 uphold public trust and confidence in the teaching

profession; and

1.10 create learning experiences which engage, motivate and

challenge students in an inclusive setting with a lifelong

learning perspective.

Key Principle Two

Maintain Professional Relationships with Students

Members of the Teaching Profession shall

2.1 maintain professional boundaries whilst in school and out

of school, avoid improper physical contact, avoid

inappropriate communication via any form of media and

avoid inappropriate relationships with students. The

members of the teaching profession are duty bound and are

ultimately responsible to maintain a professional distance;

2.2 refrain from taking advantage of professional relationships

with students for their own personal benefit, including by

giving private lessons to students from the classes they

teach or who are under their administrative responsibility,

against payment, whether monetary or in kind;

2.3 conduct

pastoral

interventions

with

students

professionally, and behave in keeping with their unique

position of trust and status as role models;

2.4 follow behaviour management and safe schools policies

and guidelines as directed by the relevant school, college

and education authorities;

2.5 act appropriately towards students exercising care in their

language, gestures and attitudes, ensuring that they do not

act in such a manner that is embarrassing or disparaging

and ensuring that they do not use abusive language or

offensive names or make inappropriate remarks; and

2.6 act with a professional attitude and behaviour at all times.

Key Principle Three

Respect the Uniqueness and Diversity of Students

Members of the Teaching Profession shall

3.1 demonstrate respect for diversity, maintain fairness and

promote equality irrespective of gender, race, religion,

sexual orientation, appearance, age, language or different

needs or abilities;

3.2 maintain an up to date knowledge and understanding of,

implement and comply with, current child protection

procedures;

3.3 maintain an up to date knowledge of guidelines issued

nationally, by the Council for the Teaching Profession,

their school or college, education authorities and the

Office of the Commissioner for Children insofar as these

concern their personal and professional conduct;

3.4 contribute to the creation of a fair and inclusive school

environment by addressing discrimination, stereotyping

and bullying; and

3.5 identify and refer to the competent authorities any issues

that might impact on students’ welfare at the earliest

possible stage.

Key Principle Four

Work in a Collaborative Manner with Colleagues, Parents,

Guardians and Carers

Members of the Teaching Profession shall

The Code of Ethics and Practice applicable to teachers for

the purposes of articles 31, 39 and 40 of the Education Act shall be

that set out in the Schedule to these regulations.

The Teachers (Code of Behaviour) Regulations are hereby

revoked.

1 work in a collegiate and cooperative manner with

colleagues and other professionals who work in multi-

disciplinary teams officially recognised by the education

authorities;

4.2 respect, support and collaborate with colleagues both in

matters concerning the education of students as well as in

maintaining relations with colleagues in the highest

standards of professional courtesy;

4.3 be prepared to help junior colleagues and those in training

and induction in all possible ways;

4.4 respect the authority of senior professional colleagues

while retaining the right to express professional opinion

and dissent;

4.5 not reprimand, censure, rebuke or criticise any colleague,

or any other member of the teaching profession, in the

presence of students or in public;

4.6 refrain from making public statements which bring the

profession into disrepute;

4.7 develop and maintain good relationships between home

and school, respecting the role that parents, guardians and

carers have in students’ education;

4.8 engage and work positively with parents, as far as

possible, in an open and respectful way;

4.9 ensure that their communications with parents, students

and colleagues comply with those policies and procedures

issued at school or college level, as well as those

educational policies and procedures issued at national

level;

4.10 demonstrate respect for diversity when dealing with

colleagues, parents, guardians or carers in their capacity as

partners in the educative process; and

4.11 make every effort to encourage parents, guardians and

carers to interest themselves actively in the education and

welfare of children in their care.

Key Principle Five

Act with Honesty and Integrity

Members of the Teaching Profession shall

1 comply with policies and procedures issued at school,

college or national education level, regarding to the use of

property, facilities, finances and ICT in their educational

setting;

5.2 conduct assessment- and examination-related tasks with

integrity and in compliance with official regulations and

procedures;

5.3 represent themselves, their experience, professional

position and qualifications honestly;

5.4 only disclose confidential information

within

the

parameters allowed by legislation;

5.5 be mindful of their position as a role model to students;

and

5.6 both in their personal and professional life, be mindful of

their behaviour and attitude, being that these may have an

impact on the profession they represent.

Key Principle Six

Keep their Professional Knowledge and Practice Up To Date

Members of the Teaching Profession shall

1 maintain high standards of practice in relation to teaching

and learning, classroom management, planning,

monitoring, assessment and reporting;

6.2 keep their professional knowledge and skills updated

throughout their teaching career;

6.3 keep updated their knowledge of relevant guidelines and

educational developments in their teaching post and role

and in relation to teaching in general;

6.4 reflect upon and evaluate their practice as part of their

continuing professional development;

6.5 be open and respond positively to constructive feedback

regarding their teaching practices; and

6.6 seek support, advice and guidance where necessary.

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