6.2 Code of Ethics for Professional Teachers in the Philippines
Key Takeaways
- The Code of Ethics for Professional Teachers was promulgated by the Board for Professional Teachers via Resolution No. 435, Series of 1997, pursuant to RA 7836.
- It applies to all public and private school teachers in all educational institutions in the Philippines, from preschool through secondary level, whether full-time or part-time.
- Teachers must maintain absolute political neutrality and are strictly prohibited from using their position or authority to influence or coerce students or colleagues toward partisan political activities.
- Accepting gifts, favors, or financial remuneration directly or indirectly from students or parents in exchange for grades or academic concessions is a severe ethical violation.
- A professional teacher must not engage in financial coercion, such as forcing students to purchase personal merchandise, tickets, or private tutoring from the teacher for profit.
Last updated: July 2026
6.2 Code of Ethics for Professional Teachers in the Philippines
Professional ethics forms the moral backbone of the teaching profession. Pursuant to Section 6 of Republic Act No. 7836, the Board for Professional Teachers promulgated the official Code of Ethics for Professional Teachers through BPT Resolution No. 435, Series of 1997. The Code defines the ethical standards, moral commitments, and professional boundaries expected of every educator in the Philippines.
Scope and Coverage (Article I)
The provisions of this Code apply to all public and private school teachers in all educational institutions across the Philippines, covering pre-elementary, elementary, secondary, and vocational/technical levels, whether operating on a full-time or part-time basis. It encompasses classroom teachers, industrial arts/vocational instructors, guidance counselors, school librarians, and administrative officials who perform supervisory or instructional functions.
Comprehensive Breakdown of the Articles
Article II: The Teacher and the State
- Trustee of Cultural & Educational Heritage: The teacher is a trustee of the cultural and educational heritage of the nation and is under obligation to transmit to learners allegiance to the Constitution and respect for lawful authority.
- National Pride & Loyalty: Every teacher shall elevate national pride, cultivate love of country, and instill deep appreciation for national heroes and traditions.
- Political Neutrality: A teacher is a citizen and has the right to vote and exercise constitutional rights. However, a teacher shall not use official position, authority, or influence to coerce, solicit, or sway students, parents, or subordinates toward any partisan political activity or candidate.
- Religious Freedom & Non-Coercion: A teacher shall not use position to proselytize or force religious beliefs upon students.
Article III: The Teacher and the Community
- Leadership in Community Welfare: The teacher is a leadership figure in the community and shall actively participate in community betterment, civic initiatives, and social upliftment.
- Intellectual & Moral Exemplar: The teacher shall provide intellectual and moral leadership in the community and refrain from engaging in vices such as gambling, drunkenness, illicit relationships, or ostentatious behavior.
- Understanding Local Customs: A teacher shall study and understand local customs and traditions to facilitate harmonious community integration without compromising professional integrity.
Article IV: A Teacher and the Profession
- Dignity of Teaching: Every teacher shall treat teaching as a noble profession and maintain high standards of professional competence and moral uprightness.
- Continuous Professional Development (CPD): A teacher shall pursue continuous professional growth through graduate studies, seminars, workshops, research, and active involvement in accredited professional organizations.
- Pride in the Vocation: A teacher shall feel genuine pride in the teaching profession and uphold its dignity at all times.
Article V: The Teachers and the Teaching Community
- Collegial Solidarity: Teachers shall cultivate spirit of professional loyalty, mutual confidence, faith in one another, and self-sacrifice for the common good.
- Professional Confidentiality: A teacher shall hold confidential all information obtained regarding colleagues unless disclosure is mandated by law or administrative authority.
- No Undermining of Peers: A teacher shall not disparage, criticize, or undermine colleagues in front of students, parents, or school officials. Professional grievances must be submitted through appropriate official channels.
- Fair Competition: A teacher shall not claim credit for work created by colleagues and must properly acknowledge sources and contributions.
Article VI: The Teacher and Higher Authorities
- Support for Administrative Policies: A teacher shall support the legitimate policies of the school and administration, even if personally dissenting, once such policies have been officially adopted.
- Channel for Grievances: A teacher has the right to file grievances or seek redress against arbitrary administrative decisions, but must strictly observe established administrative channels and due process.
- Fulfillment of Contractual Duties: A teacher shall honor contractual commitments made with the school and shall not abandon a position without proper resignation and turn-over.
Article VII: School Officials, Teachers, and Other Personnel
- Professional Leadership: School officials (principals, supervisors, superintendents) shall show professional leadership, courteous treatment, and objective evaluation of teachers.
- No Exploitation: School officials shall not exploit teachers or subordinates for personal, political, or financial gain.
- Due Process & Meritocracy: Recommendations for hiring, promotion, transfer, or dismissal must be based strictly on merit, professional qualification, and documented performance.
Article VIII: The Teachers and Learners
- First Duty of the Teacher: The teacher's primary duty is the interest and welfare of the learners. Teachers shall determine academic marks and evaluation strictly based on objective merit and performance.
- No Acceptability of Gifts / Remuneration: A teacher shall not accept any fee, gift, favor, or concession directly or indirectly from learners, parents, or guardians in exchange for passing grades, honors, or academic concessions.
- Prohibition of Discrimination: A teacher shall recognize individual learner differences and refrain from prejudice based on socio-economic status, gender, religion, race, or physical disability.
- Prohibition of Physical & Emotional Abuse: Corporal punishment, physical abuse, verbal insult, degradation, and emotional harassment are strictly prohibited.
- Ethical Boundaries in Personal Relationships: A teacher must maintain professional boundaries. When mutual attraction or romantic feelings develop between a teacher and a student, the teacher shall exercise extreme professional discretion and arrange for the student's transfer to another class/teacher to eliminate conflict of interest.
Article IX: The Teachers and Parents
- Parent-Teacher Partnership: A teacher shall establish and maintain cordial, cooperative relations with parents and guardians.
- Objective Progress Reporting: A teacher shall inform parents regularly of their children's progress, strengths, and deficiencies in a candid, constructive, and tactful manner.
- Confidentiality of Family Information: Information regarding a student's home or family background obtained by the teacher must be held in strict professional confidence.
Article X: The Teacher and Business
- Legitimate Income-Generating Activities: A teacher has the right to engage in legitimate income-generating side businesses, provided such activities do not conflict with or impair teaching performance.
- No Coercion of Students: A teacher shall not coerce or pressure students to buy merchandise, tickets, textbooks, or personal items sold by the teacher or the teacher's relatives.
- Private Tutoring Restrictions: A teacher shall not accept remuneration for tutoring one's own regular classroom students after school hours, as this creates a direct conflict of interest.
Article XI: The Teacher as a Person
- Personal Integrity & Self-Respect: A teacher shall live with dignity at all times, in all places, and under all circumstances.
- Financial Management: A teacher shall maintain personal financial stability and avoid default on legitimate financial obligations, issuing bouncing checks, or engaging in fraudulent financial schemes.
- Divine Guidance: A teacher recognizes Almighty God or a Supreme Being as the guide of individual and national destiny.
Article XII: Disciplinary Actions
Violations of any provision of this Code shall constitute un-professional and unethical conduct, serving as ground for administrative sanctions including reprimand, suspension, or revocation of the Professional Teacher License by the Board for Professional Teachers under RA 7836.
Summary Matrix: Ethical Duties across Key Relationships
| Stakeholder / Realm | Key Ethical Duty / Mandatory Standard | Prohibited Action / Ethical Violation |
|---|---|---|
| The State | Promote national pride & respect Constitution | Partisan political coercion using official authority |
| The Community | Active leadership in civic betterment & moral exemplar | Vices, gambling, drunkenness, public disorder |
| The Profession | Pursue continuous professional growth (CPD) | Stagnation, unprofessional behavior, unaccredited practice |
| Colleagues | Solidarity, mutual respect, constructive support | Disparaging peers in front of students or parents |
| Learners | Objective grading, learner welfare, equal care | Accepting gifts for grades, corporal punishment, romantic conflict |
| Business | Legitimate side income outside work hours | Coercive selling to students, paid tutoring of own pupils |
Test Your Knowledge
Teacher Mark is running for municipal councilor during a local election. He asks his Senior High School students to distribute his campaign flyers in their neighborhoods after class. Has Teacher Mark violated the Code of Ethics?
A
B
C
D
Test Your Knowledge
Parent Mrs. Santos offers Teacher Grace a brand-new laptop as a gift if Teacher Grace will give her son an honor student award at graduation. How should Teacher Grace handle this situation according to the Code of Ethics?
A
B
C
D
Test Your Knowledge
Teacher Dan sells native delicacies and school supplies. He tells his Grade 6 class that students who purchase items from his store will receive 5 extra bonus points in their quarterly exam. What ethical rule is violated?
A
B
C
D
Test Your Knowledge
A Grade 10 student reveals a serious personal problem regarding family domestic conflict to Guidance Counselor Ms. Ramos. Under the Code of Ethics, how should Ms. Ramos treat this information?
A
B
C
D