Prof Sham Lal Gupta
Every profession has some ethical values which makes it complete and serve the given purpose. No profession is complete without following ethics. By ethics we mean a code of conduct in order to justify ones role in a particular profession. All professions are important and they have been evolved due to their unique role in the social fabric of the society. Ethical principles may differ among different professions. All the professionals will behave ethically if they have been trained and groomed by the teachers and education administrators observing the highest ethical standards. So being ethical assumes much more significance because all other professions shall draw the essence of ethical behaviour from the environment created in the educational institutions. It is the teacher who shapes all kinds of human resources required by all other professions. While talking about ethics in teaching, remember all your those teachers to whom you remember and hold them in high esteem. Only a few teachers stay with you throughout your life if they have left some indelible mark on your personality. Their teaching methodology, personal touch, tall principles, values, dress code and overall conduct in the class are some of the basic traits of a good teacher. Once upon a time teacher was the only source of knowledge and students would solely depend upon their instructions about the knowledge in the classroom. Teachers are supposed to become technology savy and use internet and youtube etc. in order to supplement their teaching learning process, otherwise they will become outdated. Many of us believe that the role of teacher has been minimized due to the digital means of information. But on the contrary the role of teacher under the circumstances has increased and it has become very challenging for the teacher to play a unique role. There is no doubt that the internet has equipped the students with tonnes of knowledge but it is very difficult for the students to filter the information uploaded on the internet. Here comes the role of the teacher to distinguish between the relevant and irrelevant knowledge. Therefore the teacher has assumed the role of a mentor. Teacher is providing guidance, advice, feedback and support to the mentee. The teacher serves as their role model, counselor, advisor, sponsor and as a teacher. A teacher provides the students with all their tools which helps them to become a better version of themselves. A healthy student-teacher relationship is of immense significance in shaping the career and the wholesome personality of the students. Therefore, the ethical conduct of the teachers is of paramount importance.
Professional ethics of teaching includes many student-centric initiatives by the teachers and the institutions imparting education. Honesty-it is the quality of being honest, upright, fairness, truthfulness, sincerity/frankness, freedom from deceit or fraud. This amount to trustworthiness, loyalty and being straight forward with the students and their parents. Honesty can help the students communicate ideas sincerely and respectfully, set and recognize boundaries and build strong relationships. Teachers need to make classrooms “intellectual safe spaces” that is where opinions are heard, debated and respected. Allow children to practice speaking honestly, fearlessly, respectfully even those they may not agree with. Teach students to be patient listeners. Using their social and emotional skills and encouraging openness and honesty can hold students handle unforeseen challenges and transitions with a sense of curiosity and ease. Developing openness and honesty instill an intrinsic sense of integrity within students and provides them with the skills necessary to thrive in diverse, dynamic environments. Honesty and openness will allow students, their families and educators to meet various day-to-day challenges in our daily lives. Honesty promotes your integrity, facilitates career success, helps in avoiding guilt, serves the students from worry and stress and moreover honesty boosts the confidence of the students. Integrity in teaching refers to the quality of being honest, and having strong moral principles. It is the basis of social harmony and action. Teacher and the educational institutions need to uphold academic and research integrity. Therefore, being trustworthy, being honest and being authentic are a few traits of the true professional integrity. A person of integrity doesn’t do the work for awards and accolades but he does the work because he is dedicated to the mission.
Transparency and Accountability in the teaching-learning process is a set of teaching strategies that focus on making transparent to students how and why they are learning and engaged with course content. Transparent teaching methods help students perform better in individual courses. Students must know why they are learning a given information, what is the specific task they are being asked to accomplish and what will be the outcome of a given course. The teachers accountability holds great importance because they hold a great deal of significance in the overall development of the students. By being accountable, teachers pledge to nurture the potential within each student, helping them discover their unique talents and capabilities. This commitment goes beyond the conventional teaching methods; it includes fostering critical thinking, encouraging curiosity, and promoting a growth mindset. A classroom where teachers are accountable is a safe space where trust thrives. This trust extends beyond the classroom, creating a positive ripple effect throughout the community. Teachers’ professional ethics and accountability establish a foundation of integrity, transparency and fairness. It means every student, regardless of his background or abilities, receives an equal opportunity to succeed. Confidentiality comes into play when private data of the students is shared. Students trust their teachers to keep their data confidential and share it carefully. The personal data of the students must not be shared with any outside agency. There are specific laws related to student data protection. All the teachers of different educational institutions must be aware of the fact that basic personal information including student’s names, ages, gender identity, ethnicity, races, socioeconomic profile etc. should not be shared with any outside agency. The student data must not be compromised because this can be misused by the outside agencies for their personal benefits. Students trust their teachers to keep their data confidential and share it carefully with parents, administration etc. Respectfulness of students. Respecting students means regarding them with special attention, honoring them, showing consideration towards them, being concerned about them, appreciating them, admiring their strengths and caring for them. It will promote healthy student-teacher relation. It is pertinent to mention here that teachers and education administrators must know the strengths and weaknesses of the students so that each student is dealt properly for his/her career counseling and the overall personality development. Teachers are supposed to work out the strategies for stress free education. Teaching-learning and examination need to be organised in a stress free environment.
As a part of professional ethics the teachers must update themselves by engaging in reading, writing, participating in seminars, workshops, conferences etc. Teachers also need to engage their students in research projects and various academic pursuits initiated by the institutions. There is a dire necessity to uphold the position of teachers in the society. The academic administrators must start various extension activities in the neighbourhood locality and seek cooperation of the local administration in organising various socio-cultural events useful for the society at large. The ethical behaviour of the teachers requires them to impart various multi-tasking skills among the students to make them highly confident and skilled human resources. India needs future leaders and they are shaped and groomed within the educational institutions. The responsibility solely lies on the committed and the trust worthy teachers. The profession of the teaching has become highly demanding and there are many expectations of the society from a teacher. It is very important to place on record that many young people are attracted towards teaching as a career. Authorities need to focus on a proper screening of the aspirants who aspire to become teachers whether in school, college or university. Only those should be allowed to join teaching professions who have passion and aptitude for teaching.
A word of caution for those who have been serving as teachers to refrain from taking part or participating in activities which tend to promote a feeling of hatred among different communities, religions and linguistic groups and must actively work for national integration. Teachers can serve the nation by inculcating a sense of oneness and patriotism among the future leaders. An appeal to all the teachers to introduce some innovations and healthy practices followed by some of the best world class institutions producing meaningful and value-rich human resources. My humble submission to all the teachers to uphold their positions and empower themselves by academic contributions and professional development participating in local, national and international events.
(The author is former Director Colleges Higher education Department J&K)
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