Code for the Education Profession of Hong Kong (Extracted Edition)
Chapter 2: The Code
2.1 Commitment of the Profession
A member of the profession:
- Shall strive in every way for any improvement which will help or encourage students' physical and psychological development so as to fulfill society expectations of a profession.
- Shall uphold professional autonomy as an indispensable condition for the exercise of the education profession's social responsibilities and shall strive to create a working environment which fosters professional autonomy.
- Shall strive to uphold the honour, dignity and ethics of the education profession and to foster unity and harmonious working relationships within the profession.
- Shall constantly endeavour, through a variety of channels, to improve his/her self-development, self-growth and knowledge of educational and world developments.
- Shall promote the highest possible image for the profession by fostering public understanding of the profession and maintaining effective public relations.
- Shall exert every effort to provide a professional service, to raise professional standards and to promote a climate that encourages the exercise of professional judgement.
- Shall strive to support and enrich the education profession's ideals and achievements so that the profession is attractive to high quality recruits.
- Shall endeavour to promote the understanding the respect of different cultures in order to enhance harmony between those of all origins and races.
- Shall make every effort to establish and maintain effective channels of communication within the profession to ensure its healthy development.
- Shall refrain from activity that is detrimental to the image of the profession.
- Shall not advertise or canvas for the purpose of promoting his/her own advantage.
- Shall not accept gratuities, gifts or favours that might impair professional judgement.
- Shall, when making any public statement in his/her capacity as a professional educationalist, state clearly, when appropriate, his/her qualification to make such statement; the capacity in which the member is speaking; on whose behalf the member is speaking; and the association with any party or vested interests that may benefit from such statements.
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2.2 Commitment to Student
A member shall strive to help each student to be award of his/her own potential as a worthy and effective member of society. He/She therefore endeavours to stimulate and foster the spirit of inquiry, the acquisition and understanding of knowledge and the thoughtful formulation of meaningful goals.
A member of the profession:
- Shall regard the education of his/her students as his/her primary duty.
- Shall regard the moral, intellectual, physical, social and aesthetic development of the students entrusted to his/her care as his/her personal responsibility.
- Shall be personally responsible for the quality of his/her teaching.
- Shall share the responsibility of improving the learning environment.
- Shall do his/her best to teach according to each student's personal circumstances and learning ability.
- Shall base his/her expectations of students' performance on their interests, needs and abilities.
- Shall be concerned about students' safety in the course of his/her teaching.
- Shall give all students fair learning opportunities.
- Shall seek to establish confidence and trust grounded on mutual respect between himself/herself and his/her students.
- Shall show consistent justice and consideration in his/her relations with students at all times.
- Shall not discriminate against any student on the basis of race, colour, religious belief, creed, sex, family background, or any form of handicap.
- Shall help students identify their own values and build up their self-respect.
- Shall as far as possible adopt an objective viewpoint in discussing controversial matters with students.
- Shall encourage students to think independently and to form their own rational judgements based upon knowledge.
- Shall assess students constructively.
- Shall avoid making students feel embarrassed or ashamed.
- Shall endeavour to nurture in his/her students a thirst for high standards of accomplishment.
- Shall foster among students a sense of democracy and educate them to respect others.
- Shall encourage students to respect other members of the profession and to this end shall avoid unprofessional remarks about professional colleagues.
- Shall ensure that reports on students are based on factual and objective information.
- Shall not divulge information about students unless disclosure serves a compelling professional purpose or is required by law.
- Shall not take advantage of his/her professional relationships with students for private gain.
- Shall not entrust his/her professional responsibilities to any person who is not a member of the profession. However, when necessary he/she shall seek assistance from those in other professions.
- Shall report to the authorities concerned any case of child abuse he/she observes during the course of professional or official duties.
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2.3 Commitment to Colleagues
Successful education depends on co-operation between education professionals of all levels and categories.
A member of the profession:
- Shall treat his/her colleagues with respect as fellow professionals without discrimination on grounds of status, position, sex, race, colour, national origin, religious or political belief.
- Shall co-operate with colleagues in the interests of students.
- Shall be supportive of colleagues in performing professional duties and responsibilities and encourage them to develop their potential.
- Shall share ideas and information with his/her colleagues to enhance professional development.
- Shall show respect for the school administration's legitimate authority.
- Shall, initially, express objections to administrative policies and practices, which he/she cannot in conscience accept, through channels within the profession.
- Shall, as an administrator, respect the professional status of colleagues and provide ample opportunities for colleagues to express their opinions and make suggestions regarding administrative policies.
- Shall provide ample opportunities for colleagues to participate in discussions when making decisions on matters that affect them.
- Shall promote harmonious relations and avoid misunderstanding between colleagues; be objective and constructive when giving advice or guidance in a professional capacity.
- Shall, upon request, inform a colleague of the contents of a report when submitting a report on his/her.
- Shall adhere to the principles of justice and truth, when issuing a reference or testimonial for a colleague.
- Shall not undermine students' confidence in and/or respect for other colleagues.
- Shall never maliciously damage the professional reputation or career prospects of colleagues.
- Shall not intentionally embarrass or insult his/her colleagues and, when criticising colleagues, shall take care to avoid comments damaging to their self-respect.
- Shall observe the principles of fundamental justice in dealing with complaints against colleagues. Anonymous complaints should be ignored.
- Shall not make unfavourable criticism of the professional behaviour of a colleague unless the colleague concerned has been previously informed.
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2.4 Commitment to Employers
A member of the profession:
- Shall observe contractual commitments.
- Shall not neglect his/her principal employment for the sake of personal interest.
- Shall render professional service to the best of his/her ability.
- Shall actively promote the improvement of school/institutional policies.
- Shall be consistent in the execution of school/institutional policies and instructions which are educationally sound.
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2.5 Commitment to Parents/Guardians
A member of the profession should recognise that the education of students is the mutual responsibility of school and parents, and therefore:
- Shall respect parental rights of enquiry, consultation and information with regard to their children.
- Shall seek to establish friendly and co-operative relationships with the parents.
- Shall exchange with parents information and experience which will assist in the growth and development of the students.
- Shall respect reasonable parental requests with regard to their children's educational needs.
- Shall truthfully present parents with the facts concerning the educational development and conduct of their children.
- Shall respect the uniqueness and characteristics of each student's family background and treat in confidence any information regarding private family matters.
- Shall assist parents to protect the physical and academic rights of their children.
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2.6 Commitment to the Community
A member of the profession:
- Shall show respect for the law and the behavioural norms acceptable to society as a whole.
- Shall co-operate with the community in the exploration of present and future educational needs of students.
- Shall set an example in the performance of civic obligations.
- Shall actively support and promote civic education.
- Shall show concern for community building and participate in community activities.
- Shall be aware of current affairs, show concern about social problems and do his/her best to maintain a healthy social environment.
- Shall teach students to respect different positions and opinions in matters over which public opinion is divided.
- Shall treat as a primary duty the teaching of respect for human rights.
- Shall do his/her best to nurture in students the concepts of freedom, peace, equality, rationality and democracy.
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