Like doctors and lawyers, teachers may soon be subject to a ?code of professional ethics?, which includes clauses for disciplinary action over corporal punishment, private tuitions and other ?anti-community? activities.
If accepted by the government, the proposed code would apply to school teachers across the country, from primary to secondary and senior secondary levels, and across government as well as private schools, with the aim of restoring ?dignity and integrity? to the vocation of teaching.
One of the most far-reaching recommendations of the code is setting up of a professional body like the Indian Medical Association or Bar Council of India, which applies to professionals in their respective fields and imposes penalties in case of violations of ethical practices. The four-member committee has already shared its interim report on the proposed code with several state governments, and will be submitting the final report to the Union human resource development ministry by month end.
Recommending the code in view of Section 24 of the Right to Education Act laying down duties and responsibilities of teachers, the committee says that the code is perhaps the answer, as self-regulation ? though desirable ? leaves scope for violations.
According to the code, the primary obligation of a teacher lies towards his/her pupils, and it underlines that teachers must treat all children equally, irrespective of their class, caste, religion or gender. It specifically warns a teacher against ?subjecting any child to fear, trauma, anxiety, physical punishment and mental and emotional harassment? and ?from any act involving sexual abuse of the child?.
As part of obligations of teachers towards parents and society in general, the teachers have been told to refrain from participating in activities that could hurt this sentiment ? including taking private tuitions.