CODE FOR THE EDUCATION PROFESSION

OF
HONG KONG

(Extracted Edition)

Extracted by the Council on

Professional Conduct in Education

October 1995

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CHAPTER 1 : BACKGROUND AND THE FORMULATION
PROCESS OF THE CODE
1.1 THE PREPARATORY COMMITTEE’S ESTABLISHMENT
AND THE CODE’S FORMULATION

1.1.1 In 1982, an international panel of experts proposed in its report “A

Perspective on Education in Hong Kong” that the professional status of
teachers be promoted by setting up a Hong Kong Teaching Service.

1.1.2 The Education Commission Report No. 1 (October 1984) did not support
the setting up of a Hong Kong Teaching Service. Instead, it recommended
the publication of a “code of practice” for the teaching profession to foster
a sense of professionalism.

1.1.3 Following the Education Commission’s recommendations (Note 1), the

Education Department in June 1987 set up the Preparatory Committee,
Professional Code for Educational Works (hereafter called “the
Committee”) which would replace the visiting panel’s suggestion of
creating a Hong Kong Teaching Service after their review of the Hong
Kong education system.

1.1.4 The Committee worked for 3 years from June 1987 and, after local
consultations, the Code was renamed “Code for the Education Profession
of Hong Kong” (hereafter referred to as “the Code”). This decision was
promulgated in October 1990. (every practising teacher at the time was
given a copy of the Code)

1.1.5 The Committee identifies the following as objectives of the Code :

(1) To promote a sense of professional identity among members of the
profession.
(2) To enhance morale among members of the profession by formulating
a set of recognised ethical standards to which all members of the
profession would adhere.
(3) To provide self-disciplinary guidelines for members of the
profession by formulating norms of professional conduct.
(4) To establish and maintain high standards in education by providing
guidance for members of the profession.
(5) To obtain the community’s confidence in and support for the
profession by emphasizing the social responsibilities of the
profession towards the community.
(6) To elevate the autonomy and social status of the profession through
professionalisation.
(7) To promote democratization in educational policy making.
(8) To promote democracy in society.

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1.1.6 The Committee believed that concurrent with the formulation of the Code,
suggestions as to how the Code should be implemented must be made. It
also proposed the establishment of a “General Teaching Council” which
would function as a professional body with responsibilities to implement
the Code and maintain professional discipline.

1.1.7 The Preparatory Committee suggested that the establishment of the

proposed General Teaching Council be carried out in three phases. In
1991, it invited all educational bodies to elect a working party called the
“Working Party for the Establishment of the General Teaching Council of
Hong Kong”. Upon establishment of the Working Party, the Preparatory
Committee was dissolved.

1.1.8 In early 1992, the Preparatory Committee and the Working Party
submitted to the Education Commission a joint proposal, setting out a
framework for developing a GTC.

1.1.9 The Education Commission did not accept the Committee’s

recommendations but instead in its Report No. 5 (June 1992)
recommended the establishment of a non-statutory “Council on
Professional Conduct in Education” (hereinafter called “the Council”)
which would advise the government on measures to promote professional
conduct in education; to draft operational criteria defining the conduct
expected of an educator, and through consultation to gain widespread
acceptance of these criteria among all sectors of the education community;
and in the light of the above criteria, to advise the Director in cases of
dispute or alleged professional misconduct involving educators. As
regards whether or not to set up a statutory professional governing body,
this matter should be reviewed in a few years’ time.

1.2 THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE COUNCIL ON

PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT

1.2.1 Acting upon the Education Commission’s recommendations, the

Education Department in April 1994 established the Council on
Professional Conduct (Note 3). This Council studied its terms of reference
and the Code published in 1990, and acknowledged the difficulty of
formulating operational criteria in the absence of concrete precedents
which might be used as a basis of reference. Under such circumstances,
only a set of more principle-oriented clauses could be drafted. The 1990
Code itself forms an excellent blueprint for this purpose. After wide
consultations, the Code was generally accepted by the teaching profession
but would not be subjected to amendments before its implementation.
Therefore, the Council decided to adopt the said Code for its work.

1.2.2 It has been five years since the Code’s promulgation. It is believed that
many newcomers to the teaching profession have not had the chance to
read through the Code. This Code has been hitherto the sole set of criteria
of Professional Conduct for educators and is thus of great importance to

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 each and every one of them. In view of this, the Council has decided to
reprint the full text of the Code’s Chapters 2 and 3(Note 4) for all
practising teachers in service in the hope that this would promote
professional conduct within the profession.
(1) The Commission recommended “the fostering of a sense of
professionalism by encouraging teachers, principals, school
management and sponsors to co-operate, through the co-ordination of
the Education Department, in the writing of a code of practice for the
teaching profession. This code would prescribe ethical standards of
conduct for teachers in the execution of their professional duties and
all registered and permitted teachers would be expected to subscribe
to it.”
(2) In October 1986 the Education Department invited representatives
from 63 educational organizations to a meeting to discuss the
formation of a Preparatory Committee and to elect representatives to
it. Finally these constituent groups elected a total of 25
representatives to form the Preparatory Committee. The first
meeting was held in June 1987.
(3) The Council has a membership of 28, 14 of whom come from
teachers’ direct elections, 11 were elected among educational
organizations and the remaining 3 appointed by the Director of
Education (one being his representative and the two others from
non-education sectors).
(4) The “Code of the Education Profession of Hong Kong” (Oct. 1990)
compiled by the Preparatory Committee, Professional Code for
Educational Workers contains four chapters : Chapter 1 being
Preamble, Chapter 2 the Code, Chapter 3 Rights of the Education
Profession and Chapter 4 Recommendations for Implementation.

(Remarks: On 1 January 2003, the Education Department was subsumed under the
Education and Manpower Bureau. The Education and Manpower was
then re-organised as the Education Bureau on 1 July 2007.)

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 CHAPTER 2 : THE CODE
2.1 COMMITMENT OF THE PROFESSION

A member of the profession :

1. Shall strive in every way for any improvement which will help or
encourage students’ physical and psychological development so as to
fulfill society expectations of a profession.
2. Shall uphold professional autonomy as an indispensable condition
for the exercise of the education profession’s social responsibilities
and shall strive to create a working environment which fosters
professional autonomy.
3. Shall strive to uphold the honour, dignity and ethics of the education
profession and to foster unity and harmonious working relationships
within the profession.
4. Shall constantly endeavour, through a variety of channels, to improve
his/her self-development, self-growth and knowledge of educational
and world developments.
5. Shall promote the highest possible image for the profession by
fostering public understanding of the profession and maintaining
effective public relations.
6. Shall exert every effort to provide a professional service, to raise
professional standards and to promote a climate that encourages the
exercise of professional judgement.
7. Shall strive to support and enrich the education profession’s ideals
and achievements so that the profession is attractive to high quality
recruits.
8. Shall endeavour to promote the understanding the respect of different
cultures in order to enhance harmony between those of all origins and
races.
9. Shall make every effort to establish and maintain effective channels
of communication within the profession to ensure its healthy
development.
10. Shall refrain from activity that is detrimental to the image of the
profession.
11. Shall not advertise or canvas for the purpose of promoting his/her
own advantage.
12. Shall not accept gratuities, gifts or favours that might impair
professional judgement.
13. Shall, when making any public statement in his/her capacity as a
professional educationalist, state clearly, when appropriate, his/her
qualification to make such statement; the capacity in which the
member is speaking; on whose behalf the member is speaking; and

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 the association with any party or vested interests that may benefit
from such statements.

2.2 COMMITMENT TO STUDENTS

A member shall strive to help each student to be award of his/her own

potential as a worthy and effective member of society. He/She therefore
endeavours to stimulate and foster the spirit of inquiry, the acquisition and
understanding of knowledge and the thoughtful formulation of meaningful
goals.

A member of the profession :

1. Shall regard the education of his/her students as his/her primary duty.
2. Shall regard the moral, intellectual, physical, social and aesthetic
development of the students entrusted to his/her care as his/her
personal responsibility.
3. Shall be personally responsible for the quality of his/her teaching.
4. Shall share the responsibility of improving the learning environment.
5. Shall do his/her best to teach according to each student’s personal
circumstances and learning ability.
6. Shall base his/her expectations of students’ performance on their
interests, needs and abilities.
7. Shall be concerned about students’ safety in the course of his/her
teaching.
8. Shall give all students fair learning opportunities.
9. Shall seek to establish confidence and trust grounded on mutual
respect between himself/herself and his/her students.
10. Shall show consistent justice and consideration in his/her relations
with students at all times.
11. Shall not discriminate against any student on the basis of race, colour,
religious belief, creed, sex, family background, or any form of
handicap.
12. Shall help students identify their own values and build up their
self-respect.
13. Shall as far as possible adopt an objective viewpoint in discussing
controversial matters with students.
14. Shall encourage students to think independently and to form their
own rational judgements based upon knowledge.
15. Shall assess students constructively.
16. Shall avoid making students feel embarrassed or ashamed.
17. Shall endeavour to nurture in his/her students a thirst for high
standards of accomplishment.

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 18. Shall foster among students a sense of democracy and educate them
to respect others.
19. Shall encourage students to respect other members of the profession
and to this end shall avoid unprofessional remarks about professional
colleagues.
20. Shall ensure that reports on students are based on factual and
objective information.
21. Shall not divulge information about students unless disclosure serves
a compelling professional purpose or is required by law.
22. Shall not take advantage of his/her professional relationships with
students for private gain.
23. Shall not entrust his/her professional responsibilities to any person
who is not a member of the profession. However, when necessary
he/she shall seek assistance from those in other professions.
24. Shall report to the authorities concerned any case of child abuse
he/she observes during the course of professional or official duties.

2.3 COMMITMENT TO COLLEAGUES

Successful education depends on co-operation between education

professionals of all levels and categories.

A member of the education profession :

1. Shall treat his/her colleagues with respect as fellow professionals
without discrimination on grounds of status, position, sex, race,
colour, national origin, religious or political belief.
2. Shall co-operate with colleagues in the interests of students.
3. Shall be supportive of colleagues in performing professional duties
and responsibilities and encourage them to develop their potential.
4. Shall share ideas and information with his/her colleagues to enhance
professional development.
5. Shall show respect for the school administration’s legitimate
authority.
6. Shall, initially, express objections to administrative policies and
practices, which he/she cannot in conscience accept, through
channels within the profession.
7. Shall, as an administrator, respect the professional status of
colleagues and provide ample opportunities for colleagues to express
their opinions and make suggestions regarding administrative
policies.
8. Shall provide ample opportunities for colleagues to participate in
discussions when making decisions on matters that affect them.

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 9. Shall promote harmonious relations and avoid misunderstanding
between colleagues; be objective and constructive when giving
advice or guidance in a professional capacity.
10. Shall, upon request, inform a colleague of the contents of a report
when submitting a report on his/her.
11. Shall adhere to the principles of justice and truth, when issuing a
reference or testimonial for a colleague.
12. Shall not undermine students’ confidence in and/or respect for other
colleagues.
13. Shall never maliciously damage the professional reputation or career
prospects of colleagues.
14. Shall not intentionally embarrass or insult his/her colleagues and,
when criticising colleagues, shall take care to avoid comments
damaging to their self-respect.
15. Shall observe the principles of fundamental justice in dealing with
complaints against colleagues. Anonymous complaints should be
ignored.
16. Shall not make unfavourable criticism of the professional behaviour
of a colleague unless the colleague concerned has been previously
informed.

2.4 COMMITMENT TO EMPLOYERS

A member of the profession :

1. Shall observe contractual commitments.
2. Shall not neglect his/her principal employment for the sake of
personal interest.
3. Shall render professional service to the best of his/her ability.
4. Shall actively promote the improvement of school/institutional
policies.
5. Shall be consistent in the execution of school/institutional policies
and instructions which are educationally sound.

2.5 COMMITMENT TO PARENTS/GUARDIANS

A member of the profession should recognise that the education of

students is the mutual responsibility of school and parents, and therefore :
1. Shall respect parental rights of enquiry, consultation and information
with regard to their children.
2. Shall seek to establish friendly and co-operative relationships with
the parents.

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 3. Shall exchange with parents information and experience which will
assist in the growth and development of the students.
4. Shall respect reasonable parental requests with regard to their
children’s educational needs.
5. Shall truthfully present parents with the facts concerning the
educational development and conduct of their children.
6. Shall respect the uniqueness and characteristics of each student’s
family background and treat in confidence any information regarding
private family matters.
7. Shall assist parents to protect the physical and academic rights of
their children.

2.6 COMMITMENT TO THE COMMUNITY

A member of the profession :

1. Shall show respect for the law and the behavioural norms acceptable
to society as a whole.
2. Shall co-operate with the community in the exploration of present
and future educational needs of students.
3. Shall set an example in the performance of civic obligations.
4. Shall actively support and promote civic education.
5. Shall show concern for community building and participate in
community activities.
6. Shall be aware of current affairs, show concern about social problems
and do his/her best to maintain a healthy social environment.
7. Shall teach students to respect different positions and opinions in
matters over which public opinion is divided.
8. Shall treat as a primary duty the teaching of respect for human rights.
9. Shall do his/her best to nurture in students the concepts of freedom,
peace, equality, rationality and democracy.

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CHAPTER 3 : RIGHTS
3.1 GENERAL RIGHTS

As a citizen, a member of the education profession should enjoy all legal

rights and basic human rights.

3.2 RIGHTS AS A PROFESSIONAL

A member of the education profession has the right :

1. To be registered or licensed under the professional and ethical
standards established, maintained and enforced by the profession.
2. To work in an environment with freedom of teaching and learning.
3. To participate in and to influence decision-making related to
education policy, teaching and social and community relations etc.
4. To exercise professional judgement in presenting, interpreting and
criticizing all information and opinions, including controversial
issues.
5. To maintain and improve his/her professional competence through
further study, in-service programmes and visits.
6. To exercise professional judgement appropriate to the environmental
and individual needs of students in the process of teaching.
7. To refuse to disclose information obtained in the course of
professional service.
8. To strive for a working environment conducive to his/her students’
mental and physical well-being.
9. To state publicly personal views on matters affecting education.
10. To request to attend and make statements at meetings involving
institutional decisions which might affect his/her professional
position/service and to be provided with the minutes of such
meetings.
11. To hold public office provided this is not detrimental to his/her
professional duties and to enjoy reasonable leave of absence in order
to fulfill part-time duties in such public office.
12. To refuse to perform any non-professional tasks which are irrelevant
to his/her duties.

3.3 RIGHTS AS AN EMPLOYEE

A member of the profession has the right :

1. To seek and to be fairly considered for any position commensurate
with his/her qualifications.

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2. To be continuously employed after entering the profession unless
there is just cause for dismissal or non-renewal established through
fair proceedings.
3. To be fully informed, in writing, of details of conditions and
regulations affecting his/her employment before signing his/her
contract.
4. To work in an environment in which his/her physical and mental
health, security, and property are adequately protected.
5. To be informed of evaluation procedures affecting himself/herself
and to express his/her views.
6. To request to be truthfully informed of his/her strengths and
weaknesses as expressed in his/her appraisal report and to make an
appeal as he/she deems necessary.
7. To be employed and enjoy conditions of service, promotion
prospects and further employment regardless of sex, race, colour,
nationality, religious or political belief.
8. To be promptly given a written explanation in situations where any
actions which might affect his/her employment.
9. To be treated fairly regarding complaints against him/her and to have
access to proper procedures including arbitration in resolving
disputes.
10. To join trade unions and to engage in activities designed to safeguard
the rights of employees.
11. To raise objections to unreasonable clauses in contracts through a
variety of proper channels.
12. To receive from his/her present employer a letter of release
containing accurate information when he/she applies for other posts.

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