Professional Code | Council on Professional Conduct in Education

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.