Teachersâ Values and Ethical Principles (Trade Union of Education in Finland, 2010)
| Ethical principles of teaching |
| Teaching is an independent profession and a demanding expert task that inherently involves professional ethics. The key aspects of teachersâ ethical principles are presented in the ethical principles for the teaching profession. The teaching profession requires that those working as a teacher comply with a high standard of professional ethics and that society can trust that teachers act ethically in all situations. |
| Teacherâs expertise and values Responsibility related to a teacherâs work is based on know-how and the workâs values and norms. Neither of these can replace the other: poor expertise does not compensate for good ethical principles and vice versa. Teachers must continuously maintain their expertise, have special sensitivity to recognise the ethical dilemmas involved in teaching work and the readiness to act ethically in these situations. |
| Separating legal and ethical issues Legal and ethical issues must be treated separately in teachersâ ethics. Although a teacherâs basic task and responsibilities are defined in legislation and standards, professional ethics cannot be based on compulsion or external control. Instead, professional ethics are based on a teacherâs internalised understanding of the professionâs moral demands. |
| Societal expectations The results of a teacherâs work are often not seen until much later. Good learning experiences support life-long learning, and teachers play a significant role in creating a positive learning experience and in strengthening the learnerâs confidence and sense of social responsibility. A teacherâs job is to improve the opportunities for education, teaching and learning for the benefit of the individual. Teachers are expected to meet societyâs expectations, which concern the actualization of the teaching goals. Due to societal changes, many teachers are forced to deal many matters in their work for which they cannot hold sole responsibility. |
The shift in the role of teachers has brought the teacher closer to the learner. It adds to the teacherâs responsibility for the learnerâs development and often also requires co-operation with other parties responsible for the learnerâs development. Assessment of the learner is closely linked to the teacherâs power and responsibility. Internalised ethics prevent teachers from misusing their position. |
| Teacherâs values and ethical principles |
| The core of teaching consists of four basic values: dignity, truthfulness, fairness and responsibility & freedom. All teaching is founded on ethics â whether it be the teacher-student relationship, pluralism or a teacherâs relationship with their work. Dignity means respect for humanity. Teachers must respect every person, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, gender diversity, appearance, age, religion, social standing, origin, opinions, abilities and achievements. Truthfulness is one of the core values in teachersâ basic task, which involves steering learners in navigating life and their environment. Honesty with oneself and others and mutual respect in all communication is a basic aspect of teachersâ work. Fairness is important both when encountering individual learners and groups but also in the work community. Fairness involves in particular promoting equality and non-discrimination and avoiding favouritism. Teachers are entitled to their own values, but in their work, teachersâ responsibility is tied to their basic task and its standards such as legislation and the curriculum. |
| Teacherâs ethical principles |
| The aim of teachersâ ethical principles is to draw attention to the ethics involved in teaching. Good professional ethics are among a teacherâs most important resources. |
| Teachers and relationship with work Teachers commit to the standards and ethics of their work. Teachers manage their duties responsibly. Teachers develop their work and expertise and assess their own actions. Teachers teach in a manner that reflects their personality, so developing and caring for their individuality is their right and obligation. Teachers are entitled to be treated fairly in their work. |
Teachers accept and treat learners as unique human beings. Teachers respect the rights of learners and react to them humanely and fairly. Teachers try to understand the learnersâ starting point, thoughts and opinions. Teachers considerately handle matters linked to the learnerâs personality and privacy. Teachers pay special attention to learners who require care and protection and do not, under any circumstances, tolerate bullying or the abuse of other people. Teachersâ work also includes teaching learners to co-operate and to become good members of society. Building up confidence and good relationships is part of teachersâ work. |
| Teachers and the work community Teachers value their work and respect their colleagues. Teachers try to pool their resources and find a balance between their autonomy and the work community. Accepting the individuality of colleagues, understanding them and helping and supporting each other are key principles of the work community. |
| Teachers and society Teaching is one of the most important jobs in society. Teachersâ ability to be effective in their work and take care of their professional development are dependent not only on their commitment, but also on the resources allocated to teaching and education. Teachers promote the opportunities offered by education and growth. Teachers represent, above all, learnersâ rights and interests â even critically, if necessary. In their work, they also teach learners to become responsible members of a democratic society. |
| Teachers and stakeholders Teachers work together with learnersâ parents, guardians and other parties responsible for education, training and well-being. These include social and health care expert groups, authorities and numerous other collaborating parties. The co-operation supports learnersâ learning and development. |
| Teachers and plurality Teachers need to ensure that all learners have the same rights and obligations as members of society. They make sure that learners and their parentsâ cultures and world views are respected equally and that no one is discriminated against based on them. |