B.

The Teacher as a Person

INTRODUCTION

Article XI, the teacher as a person, is the focus of this second part of Lesson 4.
You may want to re-read the lesson on “The Demands of Society from Teacher as a Person in
Chapter 2 Lesson 2 How does the professional teacher carry herself/himself as a person?”

Read Article XI of the Code of Ethics then answer the following questions:
1. What is the big challenge for a teacher?
2. Are you ready to face the challenge?

ARTICLE XI
THE TEACHER AS A PERSON

Section 1. A teacher shall live with dignity in all places at all times.
Section 2. A teacher shall place premium upon self-respect and self-discipline as the principle of
personal behaviour in all relationships with others and in all situations.
Section 3. A teacher shall maintain at all times a dignified personality which could serve as model
worthy of emulation by learners, peers, and others.
Section 4. A teacher shall always recognize the Almighty God or Being as guide of his own destiny
and of the destinies of men and nations.

C. Article X – The Teacher and Business

INTRODUCTION

While the salaries of teachers in the Philippines are still lower compared to other ASEAN
member-states, teachers’ salaries considerably increased after EDSA 1. But despite these significant
salary increases, teachers tend to over borrow or engage in business to eke out income. This part of
Lesson 4 is focused on the teacher and his/her involvement in business.

1. Read Article X of The Code of Ethics given below. Then do # 2.

ARTICLE X
THE TEACHER AND BUSINESS

Section 1. A teacher has a right to engage, directly or indirectly, in legitimate income generation,
provided that it does not relate to or adversely affect his work.
Section 2. A teacher shall maintain a good reputation with respect of financial matters such as in the
settlement of his just debts, loans and other financial affairs.
Section 3. No teacher shall act, directly or indirectly, as agent of, or be financially interested in, any
commercial venture which furnish textbooks and other school commodities in the purchase and
disposal of which he can exercise official influence, except only when his assignment is inherently
related to such purchase and disposal provided that such shall be in accordance with existing
regulations.

2. Consider the findings of the study on teacher’s borrowing as shared by DepEd Secretary
Leonor Briones:

 The propensity of public school teachers to borrow is 50% higher compared to other
employees of the government such as the police and nurses.
 Aside from the possibility of not receiving any pay once they retire, public school
teachers may also suffer sanctions – from mere reprimand to revocation of licenses
to teach due to their unpaid loans. There are more than 500 pending cases versus
teachers filed by various lending institutions in the past 3 years.
 Teachers owe Php 70 billion from legitimate leading institutions.