Code of Conduct for Teachers

          The Code sets out the key principles of good conduct and practice for the teaching staff in Sri Sarada College for Women (Autonomous), Salem, Tamilnadu. It is intended to guide teachers’ practice judgements and decisions and inform parents and the community of these standards. It also informs members of the community of the standards expected of teachers. It is not, however, a definitive or exhaustive guide. Neither should it be read as a blueprint to be followed unreflectively by the staff. As professionals, the staffs are to constantly engage with the principles outlined in a critical manner, taking into account the educational value of the particular relationships with persons within particular teaching and learning situations and processes.

             The Code is intended to encourage the staff to adopt an informed approach to their teaching and its contexts and to reflect on the good and correct practices as professional teachers. Staff shall endeavor to be a role model and shall act within the community in a manner which enhances the prestige of the profession and the Institution and as a whole up to the expectation of the stakeholders.

The Teaching Staff shall:

1. Base their relationship with students on mutual trust and respect.
2. Respect the uniqueness and diversity of the learning community they are part of.
3. Work in a collaborative manner with colleagues and other professionals.
4. Develop and maintain good relationships with the management, parents, guardians and other stakeholders.
5. Act with honesty, integrity and fairness, and avoid biased behavior.
6. Be in their respective classes on time.
7. Take responsibility for maintaining the quality of their professional practice.
8. Create learning experiences which engage, motivate and challenge students in an inclusive setting with a lifelong learning perspective.
9. Conduct assessment- and examination-related tasks with integrity and in compliance with official regulations and procedures.
10. Represent themselves, their experience, professional position and qualifications honestly.
11. Only disclose confidential information within the parameters allowed by legislation.
12. Actively participate in the programmes organised by the College.
13. Dress in a manner that is appropriate for an academic environment.
14. Maintain professional ethics whilst inside and outside the College.
15. Avoid inappropriate communication via any form of media and any inappropriate relationship with students.
16. Be duty bound and maintain a professional distance from the students.
17. Refrain from taking advantage of professional relationships with students for their own personal benefit, including by giving private tuition or who are under their administrative responsibility, against payment, whether monetary or in kind.
18. Conduct pastoral interventions with students professionally, and behave in keeping with their unique position of trust and status as role models.
19. Act appropriately towards students exercising care in their language, gestures and attitudes, ensuring that they do not act in such a manner that is embarrassing or disparaging and ensuring that they do not use abusive language or offensive names or make inappropriate remarks.
20. Demonstrate respect for diversity, maintain fairness and promote equality irrespective of race, religion, appearance, age, language or different needs or abilities.
21. Keep abreast of the latest rules and regulations framed by the government, both central and state, towards students’ protection.
22. Maintain an up to date knowledge of guidelines issued nationally, by the UGC and the State Government, education authorities in so far as these concern their personal and professional conduct.
23. Contribute to the creation of a fair and inclusive collegiate environment by addressing discrimination, stereotyping and bullying.
24. Identify and refer to the competent authorities any issues that might impact on students’ welfare at the earliest possible stage.
25. Work in a collegiate and cooperative manner with colleagues and other professionals who work in multidisciplinary teams officially recognized by the college authorities.
26. Respect, support and collaborate with colleagues both in matters concerning the education of students as well as in maintaining relations with colleagues in the highest standards of professional courtesy.
27. Be prepared to help junior colleagues and those in training and induction in all possible ways.
28. Respect the authority of senior professional colleagues while retaining the right to express professional opinion and dissent
29. Not reprimands, censure, rebuke or criticise any colleague, or any other member of the teaching profession, in the presence of students or in public.
30. Refrain from making public statements which bring the profession into disrepute.
31. Engage and work positively with the parents of students, as far as possible, in an open and respectful way.
32. Ensure that their communications with parents, students and colleagues comply with those policies and procedures issued at college, as well as those educational policies and procedures issued at national level.
33. Demonstrate respect for diversity when dealing with colleagues, parents, guardians or careers in their capacity as partners in the educative process.
34. Make every effort to encourage parents, guardians and careers to interest themselves actively in the education and welfare of students in their care.
35. Maintain high standards of practice in relation to teaching and learning, classroom management, planning, monitoring, assessment and reporting.
36. Keep their professional knowledge and skills updated throughout their teaching career.
37. Keep updated their knowledge of relevant guidelines and educational developments in their teaching post and role and in relation to teaching in general.
38. Reflect upon and evaluate their practice as part of their continuing professional development.
39. Be open and respond positively to constructive feedback regarding their teaching practices.
40. Seek support, advice and guidance wherever necessary.
41. The workload of the teachers in full employment should not be less than the required hours as per the UGC norms.
42. A relaxation of workload may, however, be given to teachers who are actively involved in administration and extension activities.
43. Not more than 25% of the staff members in a department will be permitted to avail OD / RH / CL on a specific day. /li>
44. CL combined with holidays should not exceed 10 days.
45. Reporting to duty on the re-opening day / last working day in a semester is mandatory.

Additional policies or changes may evolve and the Code of Conduct may be amended or modified any time.