TEACHERS (CODE OF ETHICS AND PRACTICE) REGULATIONS

SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION 327.02

TEACHERS (CODE OF ETHICS AND PRACTICE)

REGULATIONS

30th November, 2012

LEGAL NOTICE 414 of 2012.

The title of these regulations is the Teachers (Code of

Ethics and Practice) Regulations.

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;

"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

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.

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

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

m a t t e r s c o n c e r n i n g t he e d uc at i on o f s tu d e n t s a s w e l l a s 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

i n t e g r i t y a n d i n c o m p l i a n c e w i t h o ff i c i a l r e g u l a t i o n s a n d

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.