EDU 34 - THE
TEACHING
PROFESSION
Melba B. Rosales, PhD.
WHO IS A
PROFESSIONAL
TEACHER?
Professional teacher is one who is duly licensed
professional who possess dignity and reputation
with high moral values a well as technical and
professional competence.
In the practice of their noble profession, they
strictly adhere to observe, and practice this set of
ethical and moral principles, standard and values.
(Preamble: Code of Ethics for Professional
Teachers)
“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.”
(Code of Ethics, Article III, Section 3)
“A teacher shall place premium upon self-respect and self-
discipline as the principle of personal behavior in all
relationships with others and in all situations.” (Code of
Ethics, Article XI, Section 2)
“A teacher shall maintain at all times a dignified personality
which could serve as model worthy of emulation by
learners, peers, and others.” (Code of Ethics, Article XI,
Section 3)
“As teacher, (one) serves as an example to his/her
pupils. Consequently teachers must adhere to the
exacting standards of morality and decency. A teacher
both in his official and personal conduct must display
exemplary behavior.”
“He must freely and willingly accept restrictions on his
conduct that might be viewed irksome the personal
behavior of teachers, IN AND OUTSIDE THE
CLASSROOM, must be beyond reproach they must
observe a high standard of integrity and honesty.”
(Joseph Santos vs. NLRC, Hagonoy Institute, Inc.)
Two Main Elements of Being a Professional:
(Competencies and Ethics)
The Competencies are spelled out in the Philippine Professional
Standards for Teachers (PPST).
The Ethical standards are articulated in the Code of Ethics for
professional teachers.
The teaching profession is governed by the Code of Ethics (RA
7836) for Professional Teachers. Violation of the code of ethics
can be a ground for the revocation of the professional teacher’s
certificate of registration and suspension from practice of the
teaching profession (Sec 23, Code of Ethics for Professional
Teachers)
Other Elements of a Profession are:
a. Initial Professional Education (Pre-Service
Training)
– completion of the degree program.
- professionals generally begin their professional
lives by completing a university program in their chosen
fields – teacher education, engineering, nursing,
accountancy.
- This means long and arduous years of preparation.
- take note this is just initial, which means only the
beginning because a professional is expected to learn
endlessly..
b.Accreditation/Recognition of the Degree Program
• the degree program must be accredited/recognized by the CHED.
• University programs are approved by a regulatory body like the
Commission on Higher Education (CHED) in the Philippines
to ensure that graduates from these recognized programs start
their professional lives with competence.
c. Licensure Examination (LEPT)
• pass the licensure examination as mandated by the PRC.
• licensing is mandatory, not voluntary and is administered by a
government authority.
• In the Philippines, this government authority is the Professional
Regulation Commission (PRC).
d.Continuing Professional Development (CPD-
RA 10912)
– lifelong learning to enhance one’s profession.
- this is an ongoing professional education that
maintains or improves professionals’ knowledge
and skills after they begin professional practice.
- In the Philippines this is Continuing Professional
Development mandated by RA 10912, otherwise
known as the CPD Act of 2016.
e. Professional Societies/Organizations
• community of individuals/professional with common
interest and purpose.
• professionals see themselves as part of a community of
like-minded individuals who put their professional
standards above the individual self-interest or their
employer’s self-interest.
• these professional societies put dedication to the public
interest and commitment to moral and ethical values.
Professional Societies define certification criteria, manage
certification programs, establish accreditation standards and
define a code of ethics disciplinary action for violations
of that code.
SUMMARY:
Teaching is a profession. It requires:
1.Long years of initial professional education
2.The attainment of a college/university degree recognized
by a regulatory body, the CHED
3.A licensure examination called Licensure Examination for
Professional Teachers
4.Attainment/acquisition of competencies as stated in the
Philippine Professional Standards for Teachers (PPST)
5.Continuing Professional Development
6.Adherence to the Code of Ethics for Professional Teachers
