HANDBOOK_FOR_SACE_CLM116P

South African Council for Educators Handbook for the Code of Professional Ethics

Page 1

  • Title: South African Council for Educators Handbook for the Code of Professional Ethics

  • Produced by: The Unilever Ethics Centre at the University of Natal.

Page 2

  • Copyright owned by: Unilever Ethics Centre, University of Natal.

  • First published: 2002, all rights reserved.

  • Any reproduction requires permission from Unilever Ethics Centre.

  • Design and layout by: John Bertram, Tangerine Design.

Page 3: Authorship

  • Collective authorship from Unilever Ethics Centre, University of Natal.

  • Chapters and Contributors:

    • Chapter 1 - Carol Bertram, Ben Parker

    • Chapter 2 - Ben Parker

    • Chapter 3 - Ian Jennings

    • Chapter 4 - Martin Prozesky (editor), Liz Mattson (Buddhist ethics), Patrick Maxwell (Hindu/Chinese ethics), Neville Richardson (Christian ethics), Tahir Sitoto (Islamic/African ethics), Mabogo Percy More (editor), Liz Mattson (final edit).

    • Chapter 5 - Ian Jennings, Deane-Peter Baker

    • Chapter 6 - Mabogo Percy More

    • Chapter 7, 8 - Ben Parker

    • Chapter 9 - Carol Bertram, Liz Mattson, Diane Parker

    • Activities contributed by: Carol Bertram, Liz Mattson, Diane Parker, Ben Parker.

    • Management of writing and editing by Ben Parker.

Page 4: Acknowledgements

  • Funding by South African Council for Educators (SACE).

  • CEO: Mr. Rej Brijraj

  • Professional development officer: Ella Mokgalane, supported by team members.

  • Consultative workshops and feedback from approximately 400 representatives and 45 educators.

  • Acknowledgement of contributions from various individuals and organizations in the creation of the handbook.

Page 5: Contents

  • Part One

      1. Introduction

      1. Ethics and the Code

  • Part Two

      1. Evaluation, Values and Tolerance

      1. Comparative Ethics

      1. Ethical Theories

      1. Human Rights

      1. Being an Ethically Competent Professional Educator

      1. Moral Development

  • Part Three

      1. A Closer Look at the Code of Professional Ethics

Page 6

Page 7: Introduction to the Handbook

  • The Code of Professional Ethics aims to guide educators in ethical behavior.

  • Educators face challenges such as resource scarcity and the need to act professionally.

  • A code is essential for combating unprofessional conduct witnessed in recent events.

  • The importance of ethical conduct is underscored by disturbing instances of violence and misconduct reported in the media.

Page 8: Overview on Code of Ethics

  • SACE's Code requires educators to act professionally, protect human rights, and maintain dignity.

  • The handbook seeks to foster discussions and debates about ethics in the education sector.

Page 9: Code's Implementation

  • The philosophy of the handbook is to provoke thought and deepen understanding of ethical responsibilities.

  • Encourages dialogue and moral development among educators.

Page 10: Evaluation Framework

  • Emphasizes the need for educators to evaluate their actions ethically.

  • Suggests a broad approach to ethics rather than prescriptive solutions.

Page 11: Ethical Case Study Activity

  • Introduces case study involving four teachers consuming alcohol on school premises, leading to ethical dilemmas.

  • Promotes discussion on ethics and responsibility in professional settings.

Page 12: Relating to Moral Evaluations

  • The need for the ethical evaluation of behavior in school environments.

Page 13: Understanding Ethics and Morality

  • Ethics and morality are examined, focusing on principles of human duty.

  • Educators must recognize their influence on the moral development of students.

Page 14: Ethical Definitions

  • Ethics defined as principles governing the distinction between right and wrong.

Page 15: SACE Code Guidelines

  • Educators must adhere to a code that promotes respectful relationships and avoids harm.

  • Indicates expectations for behavior within professional duties.

Page 16: Background of SACE

  • Historical context and establishment of SACE with objectives related to educator registration, development, and code establishment.

Page 17: Contextual Challenges

  • Education landscape features both positive developments and persistent issues from apartheid-era inequalities.

Page 18: Code's Intent

  • Emphasizes the need for a professional conduct code to enhance educator responsibility.

Page 19: Core Values of the Code

  • Promotes well-being, dignity, accountability, and respect across educational interactions.

Page 20: Handling Ethical Dilemmas

  • A case study approach is used to evaluate the teacher's handling of ethical situations, highlighting the complexity in decision-making processes.

Page 21: Ethical Competence as Professionals

  • Ethical competence requires understanding ethical principles and applying them in practice.

Page 22: Evaluation of Ethical Issues

  • Recap on the importance of ethical discussions among teachers.

Page 29: Summary of Key Learnings

  • The SACE Code encompasses ethical responsibilities and emphasizes the importance of nurturing respect and integrity in educational settings.

Page 130: Code of Professional Ethics - Educators' Relationships

  • Sections highlight how educators should relate to learners, parents, colleagues, and the community, emphasizing respect and professionalism.