CODE OF ETHICS

FOR
PROFESSIONAL
TEACHERS

SCHOOL- BASED INSET

MARCH 15- 19, 2021
CODE OF ETHICS FOR
PROFESSIONAL TEACHERS

Pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (e),

Article 11, of R.A. No. 7836, otherwise
known as the Philippine Teachers
Professionalization Act of 1994 and
paragraph (a), section 6, P.D. No. 223, as
amended, the Board for Professional
Teachers hereby adopt the Code of Ethics for
Professional Teachers.
PREAMBLE
Teachers are duly licensed professionals who
possesses dignity and reputation with high
moral values as well as technical and
professional competence in the practice of
their noble profession, and they strictly
adhere to, observe, and practice this set of
ethical and moral principles, standards, and
values.
ARTICLE I: SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS
 Section 1. The Philippine Constitution provides that all
educational institution shall offer quality education for all
competent teachers. Committed to its full realization, the
provision of this Code shall apply, therefore, to all
teachers in schools in the Philippines.

Section 2. This Code covers all public and private school

teachers in all educational institutions at the preschool,
primary, elementary, and secondary levels whether
academic, vocational, special, technical, or non-formal.
The term teacher shall include industrial arts or vocational
teachers and all other persons performing supervisory
and /or administrative functions in all school at the
aforesaid levels, whether on full time or part-time basis.
ARTICLE II: THE TEACHER AND
THE STATE
 Section 1. The schools are the nurseries of the future citizens
of the state; each teacher is a trustee of the cultural and
educational heritage of the nation and is under obligation to
transmit to learners such heritage as well as to elevate national
morality, promote national pride, cultivate love of country,
instill allegiance to the constitution and for all duly constituted
authorities, and promote obedience to the laws of the state.

Section 2. Every teacher or school official shall actively help

carry out the declared policies of the state, and shall take an
oath to this effect.

Section 3. In the interest of the State and of the Filipino people

as much as of his own, every teacher shall be physically,
mentally and morally fit.
 Section 4. Every teacher shall possess and actualize
a full commitment and devotion to duty.

Section 5. A teacher shall not engage in the

promotion of any political, religious, or other
partisan interest, and shall not, directly or
indirectly, solicit, require, collect, or receive any
money or service or other valuable material from
any person or entity for such purposes.

Section 6. Every teacher shall vote and shall

exercise all other constitutional rights and
responsibility.
 Section 7. A teacher shall not use his position
or official authority or influence to coerce
any other person to follow any political
course of action.

Section 8. Every teacher shall enjoy

academic freedom and shall have privilege of
expounding the product of his researches and
investigations; provided that, if the results
are inimical to the declared policies of the
State, they shall be brought to the proper
authorities for appropriate remedial action.
ARTICLE III: THE TEACHER AND
THE COMMUNITY
 Section 1. A teacher is a facilitator of learning and of the
development of the youth; he shall, therefore, render the
best service by providing an environment conducive to
such learning and growth.

Section 2. Every teacher shall provide leadership and

initiative to actively participate in community movements
for moral, social, educational, economic and civic
betterment. 

Section 3. Every teacher shall merit reasonable social

recognition for which purpose he shall behave with honor
and dignity at all times and refrain from such activities as
gambling, smoking, drunkenness, and other excesses,
much less illicit relations. 
 Section 4. Every teacher shall live for and with the
community and shall, therefore, study and
understand local customs and traditions in order to
have sympathetic attitude, therefore, refrain from
disparaging the community.

Section 5. Every teacher shall help the school keep

the people in the community informed about the
school’s work and accomplishments as well as its
needs and problems. 

Section 6. Every teacher is intellectual leader in the

community, especially in the barangay, and shall
welcome the opportunity to provide such leadership
when needed, to extend counseling services, as
appropriate, and to actively be involved in matters
affecting the welfare of the people. 
 Section 7. Every teacher shall maintain
harmonious and pleasant personal and
official relations with other professionals,
with government officials, and with the
people, individually or collectively.

 Section 8. A teacher posses freedom to

attend church and worships as
appropriate, but shall not use his
positions and influence to proselyte
others.
ARTICLE IV: A TEACHER AND
THE PROFESSION
 Section 1. Every teacher shall actively insure
that teaching is the noblest profession, and
shall manifest genuine enthusiasm and pride
in teaching as a noble calling. 

Section 2. Every teacher shall uphold the

highest possible standards of quality
education, shall make the best preparations
for the career of teaching, and shall be at his
best at all times and in the practice of his
profession.
 Section 3. Every teacher shall
participate in the Continuing
Professional Education (CPE)
program of the Professional
Regulation Commission, and shall
pursue such other studies as will
improve his efficiency, enhance
the prestige of the profession,
and strengthen his competence,
virtues, and productivity in order
to be nationally and
internationally competitive. 
 Section 4. Every teacher shall help, if duly
authorized, to seek support from the school,
but shall not make improper
misrepresentations through personal
advertisements and other questionable
means.

Section 5. Every teacher shall use the

teaching profession in a manner that makes
it dignified means for earning a descent
living.
ARTICLE V: THE TEACHERS AND
THE PROFESSION
 Section 1. Teachers shall, at all times, be
imbued with the spirit of professional loyalty,
mutual confidence, and faith in one another,
self-sacrifice for the common good, and full
cooperation with colleagues. When the best
interest of the learners, the school, or the
profession is at stake in any controversy,
teachers shall support one another.

Section 2. A teacher is not entitled to claim

credit or work not of his own, and shall give due
credit for the work of others which he may use.
 Section 3. Before leaving his position, a
teacher shall organize for whoever
assumes the position such records and
other data as are necessary to carry on
the work.

Section 4. A teacher shall hold inviolate

all confidential information concerning
associates and the school, and shall not
divulge to anyone documents which has
not been officially released, or remove
records from files without permission.
 Section 5. It shall be the responsibility of every
teacher to seek correctives for what may appear to be
an unprofessional and unethical conduct of any
associate. However, this may be done only if there is
incontrovertible evidence for such conduct.

Section 6. A teacher may submit to the proper

authorities any justifiable criticism against an
associate, preferably in writing, without violating the
right of the individual concerned.

Section 7. A teacher may apply for a vacant position

for which he is qualified; provided that he respects
the system of selection on the basis of merit and
competence; provided, further, that all qualified
candidates are given the opportunity to be
considered.
ARTICLE VI: THE TEACHER AND HIGHER
AUTHORITIES IN THE PROFESSION
 Section 1. Every teacher shall make it his duty to make an
honest effort to understand and support the legitimate policies
of the school and the administration regardless of personal
feeling or private opinion and shall faithfully carry them out. 

Section 2. A teacher shall not make any false accusations or

charges against superiors, especially under anonymity.
However, if there are valid charges, he should present such
under oath to competent authority.

Section 3. A teacher shall transact all official business through

channels except when special conditions warrant a different
procedure, such as when special conditions are advocated but
are opposed by immediate superiors, in which case, the teacher
shall appeal directly to the appropriate higher authority.
 Section 4. Every teacher, individually or as part of a
group, has a right to seek redress against injustice to the
administration and to extent possible, shall raise
grievances within acceptable democratic possesses. In
doing so, they shall avoid jeopardizing the interest and
the welfare of learners whose right to learn must be
respected.

Section 5. Every teacher has a right to invoke the

principle that appointments, promotions, and transfer of
teachers are made only on the basis of merit and needed
in the interest of the service.

Section 6. A teacher who accepts a position assumes a

contractual obligation to live up to his contract, assuming
full knowledge of employment terms and conditions.
ARTICLE VII: SCHOOL OFFICIALS,
TEACHERS, AND OTHER PERSONNEL
 Section 1. All school officials shall at all times show
professional courtesy, helpfulness and sympathy towards
teachers and other personnel, such practices being
standards of effective school supervision, dignified
administration, responsible leadership and enlightened
directions.

Section 2. School officials, teachers, and other school

personnel shall consider it their cooperative
responsibility to formulate policies or introduce
important changes in the system at all levels.
 PROMOTION

 Section 3. School officials shall encourage

and attend the professional growth of all
teachers under them such as recommending
them for promotion, giving them due
recognition for meritorious performance, and
allowing them to participate in conferences
in training programs.
 Section 4. No school officials shall dismiss or
recommend for dismissal a teacher or other
subordinates except for cause. 

Section 5. School authorities concern shall

ensure that public school teachers are
employed in accordance with pertinent civil
service rules, and private school teachers are
issued contracts specifying the terms and
conditions of their work; provided that they
are given, if qualified, subsequent
permanent tenure, in accordance with
existing laws.
ARTICLE VIII: THE TEACHERS
AND LEARNERS

 Section 1. A teacher has a right and duty

to determine the academic marks and
the promotions of learners in the subject
or grades he handles, provided that such
determination shall be in accordance
with generally accepted procedures of
evaluation and measurement. In case of
any complaint, teachers concerned shall
immediately take appropriate actions,
observing due process.
 Section 2. A teacher shall
recognize that the interest and
welfare of learners are of first
and foremost concern, and shall
deal justifiably and impartially
with each of them.

Section 3. Under no
circumstance shall a teacher be
prejudiced or discriminate
against a learner.
 Section 4. A teacher shall not accept favors
or gifts from learners, their parents or others
in their behalf in exchange for requested
concessions, especially if undeserved.

Section 5. A teacher shall not accept,

directly or indirectly, any remuneration from
tutorials other what is authorized for such
service.

Section 6. A teacher shall base the

evaluation of the learners work only in merit
and quality of academic performance.
 Section 7. In a situation where mutual attraction and
subsequent love develop between teacher and
learner, the teacher shall exercise utmost
professional discretion to avoid scandal, gossip and
preferential treatment of the learner.

Section 8. A teacher shall not inflict corporal

punishment on offending learners nor make
deductions from their scholastic ratings as a
punishment for acts which are clearly not
manifestation of poor scholarship.

Section 9. A teacher shall ensure that conditions

contribute to the maximum development of learners
are adequate, and shall extend needed assistance in
preventing or solving learners problems and
difficulties.
ARTICLE IX: THE TEACHERS AND
PARENTS
 Section 1. Every teacher shall establish and maintain
cordial relations with parents, and shall conduct himself
to merit their confidence and respect.

Section 2. Every teacher shall inform parents, through

proper authorities, of the progress and deficiencies of
learner under him, exercising utmost candor and tact in
pointing out the learner's deficiencies and in seeking
parent’s cooperation for the proper guidance and
improvement of the learners.

Section 3. A teacher shall hear parent’s complaints with

sympathy and understanding, and shall discourage unfair
criticism.
ARTICLE X: THE TEACHER AND
BUSINESS
 Section 1. A teacher has the right to
engage, directly or indirectly, in
legitimate income generation; provided
that it does not relate to or adversely
affect his work as a teacher.

Section 2. A teacher shall maintain a

good reputation with respect to the
financial matters such as in the
settlement of his debts and loans in
arranging satisfactorily his private
financial affairs.
 Section 3. No teacher shall act, directly or
indirectly, as agent of, or be financially
interested in, any commercial venture which
furnish textbooks and other school
commodities in the purchase and disposal of
which he can exercise official influence,
except only when his assignment is
inherently, related to such purchase and
disposal; provided they shall be in accordance
with the existing regulations; provided,
further, that members of duly recognized
teachers cooperatives may participate in the
distribution and sale of such commodities.
ARTICLE XI: THE TEACHER AS A
PERSON
 Section 1. A teacher is, above all, a human being
endowed with life for which it is the highest
obligation to live with dignity at all times
whether in school, in the home, or elsewhere.

Section 2. A teacher shall place premium upon

self-discipline as the primary principle of
personal behavior in all relationships with others
and in all situations.
 Section 3. A teacher shall maintain at all
times a dignified personality which could
serve as a model worthy of emulation by
learners, peers and all others.

Section 4. A teacher shall always

recognize the Almighty God as guide of
his own destiny and of the destinies of
men and nations.
ARTICLE XII: DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS SUSPENSION

REVOCATION
REVOCATION

 Section 1. Any violation of any provision of

this code shall be sufficient ground for the
imposition against the erring teacher of the
disciplinary action consisting of revocation of
his Certification of Registration and License as
a Professional Teacher, suspension from the
practice of teaching profession, or reprimand
or cancellation of his temporary/special
permit under causes specified in Sec. 23,
Article III or R.A. No. 7836, and under Rule
31, Article VIII, of the Rules and Regulations
Implementing R.A. 7836.
 SCHOOL DISCIPLINE
 Section 1. Authority to Maintain
School Discipline (D.O. No.92, s.1992
pages 22-23)
Every School shall maintain discipline
inside the school campus as well as
outside the school premises when
pupils or students are engaged in
activities authorized by the school...
 1.1 IMPOSITION OF DISCIPLINARY
ACTION
 1.1.1 School officials and teachers shall have
the right to impose appropriate and
reasonable disciplinary measures in case of
minor offenses or infractions of good
discipline. However, no cruel or physically
harmful punishment shall e imposed or
applied against any pupil or student.
 1.1.2 Suspension/Expulsion (Sections 145-151,
Part VI Chapter III, Service Manual 1960)
For first and other offenses which are not very serious in
nature, a suspension from school not to exceed three (3) days
may be authorized by the principal without the prior approval
of the Division Superintendent. However, parents must be
informed by the teacher or the school principal of any
misconduct o the part of their children for which disciplinary
action is necessary.
For a persistent offender or one guilty of a serious offense, a
suspension for not more than one (1) year may be imposed
subject to the approval of the Division Superintendent.
Suspension for a school year or more, or expulsion from
school can be ordered only by the Secretary.
In all cases of suspension, a written promise of future
exemplary conduct signed by the pupil/student and
countersigned by his parents or guardian shall be required as
a condition for readmission and must be required in the case
of suspension for more than three (3) days
Offenses punishable by suspension or expulsion
depending on the seriousness of the offense:

Gross misconduct Extortion or asking money from

Cheating and stealing others
Assaulting a teacher or any Fighting, causing injury to others
other school authority or his Using, possessing, and selling of
agents or students prohibited drugs
Hazing in any form or manner
Smoking inside the school whether inside or outside the school
premises premises
Vandalism, writing on or Immorality/sexual harassment
destroying school property Instigating, leading or participating
like chairs, tables, windows, in concerted activities leading to
books, laboratory stoppage of classes
equipment and others Preventing, threatening students or
Gambling of any sort faculty members or school
authorities from discharging their
Drinking intoxicants and duties or from attending classes or
liquor entering school premises
Carrying and concealing Forging or tampering with school
deadly weapons records or transfer forms
 The use of corporal punishment by teacher
(slapping , jerking or pushing pupils/students
about) imposing manual work or degrading
tasks as penalty, meting out cruel or unusual
punishments of any nature, holding up a
pupil/student to unnecessary ridicule, the
use of epithets and expressions tending to
destroy the pupil/student’s self-respect and
the permanent confiscation of the personal
property of pupils/students are forbidden.
1.2 ATTENDANCE AND PUNCTUALITY
 1.2.1 Regularity of attendance and punctuality
are required in all classes. A pupil/student who
has been absent or has cut classes is required to
present a letter of explanation from his/her
parents or guardian or to bring them to school
for a short conference with the section adviser or
guidance counselor as the case may be.

 1.2.2 Attendance of pupils/students in special

holidays, activities relative to their religions,
e.g. Ramadan, shall be allowed provided
permission of the school head is sought.
 1.2.3 Absences. A pupil/student who incurs absences
of more than twenty percent of the prescribed number of
class or laboratory periods during the school year or term
should be given a failing grade and given no credit for the
course or subject. Furthermore, the school head may at
his/her discretion and n the individual case exempt a
student who exceeds the twenty percent limit for reasons
considered valid and acceptable to the school ”Such
discretion shall not excuse the student concerned from
responsibility in keeping up with lesson assignments and
taking examinations where indicated. The discretionary
authority is vested in the school head, and may not be
availed of by the student nor granted by a faculty member
without the consent of the school head.
 1.2.4 Habitual tardiness especially during first period
in the morning and in the afternoon shall not be allowed.
Teachers concerned shall call for the parents of the
student concerned or visit him at home.
 1.3 SCHOOL UNIFORM
 1.3.1 A school uniform shall be prescribed
for all pupils/students. Shoes are considered
part of the uniform.

 1.3.2 All students shall be required to wear

the official school ID in the school campus.

 1.3.3 The acceptable haircut for boys shall

be at least one (1) inch above the ear and
three (3) inches above the collar line.
ARTICLE XIII: EFFECTIVITY
 Section 1. This Code shall take effect upon
approval by the Professional Regulation
Commission and after sixty (60) days
following its publication in the Official
Gazette or any newspaper of general
circulation, whichever is earlier.
THANK YOU
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