School Code of Conduct

WHAT IS A CODE OF CONDUCT?

It is a written set of guidelines stipulating and regulating the conduct of an organization staff which is on duty. It is also called Code of Ethics. Note that the code of conduct is only enforceable while the staff is on duty. Also note that a code of conduct must be written for it to be binding.  Overleaf is the recommended code of conduct for school staff.

APPROVED CODE OF CONDUCT FOR PRIVATE SCHOOL TEACHERS

1. TEACHERS MUST BE PUNCTUAL TO SCHOOL. CLASS AND ALL SCHOOL ACTIVITIES
2. TEACHERS MUST BE NEAT AND DECENTLY DRESSED AT ALL TIMES.
3. TEACHERS SHOULD NOT RECEIVE VISITORS DURING SCHOOL HOURS (EXCEPT IN EMERGENCIES).
4. TEACHERS SHOULD NOT MAKE OR RECEIVE CALLS WHILE TEACHING IN THE CLASS
5. OVER FAMILIARITY OR UNHEALTHY RELATIONSHIP WITH STUDENTS IS NOT ALLOWED
6. SEXUAL ADVANCES OR RELATIONSHIP WITH STUDENTS IS NOT ALLOWED
7. NO PROPERTY OR FUNDS OF THE SCHOOL SHOULD BE TAKEN OUT OF THE PREMISES WITHOUT DUE AUTHORIZATION NO MATTER THE JUSTIFICATION
8. RUDENESS TO PARENTS IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE NO MATTER THE PROVOCATION OR JUSTIFICATION-TEACHERS MUST UNDERSTAND THAT PARENTS ARE THE CUSTOMERS OF THE SCHOOL
9. NO FIGHTING OR HARSH EXCHANGE OF WORDS BY TEACHERS IN THE SCHOOL PREMISES
10. NO STEALING OF SCHOOL OR COLLEAGUES PROPERTIES OR COLLECTION OF STUDENTS MEALS
11. NO SMOKING OR ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION WITHIN THE SCHOOL PREMISES
12. DO NOT INFLICT BODILY HARM ON STUDENTS WHILE INSTILLING DISCIPLINE
13. PUNISHMENT SHOULD BE COMMENSURATE WITH THE OFFENCE – DON’T OVER PUNISH
14. NO ABSENCE FROM DUTY POSTS WITHOUT DUE AUTHORIZATION
15. NO FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS ON BEHALF OF THE SCHOOL WITHOUT DUE AUTHORIZATION.
16. NO LOITERING AROUND BY STAFF, ALL STAFF MUST BE PRODUCTIVELY ENGAGED OR RESIDENT IN THE STAFF ROOM. DON’T LOITER ABOUT.
    18. DO NOT STAY LONGER THAN YOUR PERIOD, DON’T EAT INTO OTHER TEACHERS LESSON TIME
    19. NO PIDGIN ENGLISH BY TEACHERS IN THE SCHOOL PREMISES
    20. HARD DRUGS, WEAPONS, FETISH ITEMS ETC ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE SCHOOL PREMISES
    21. PORNOGRAPHIC MATERIALS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE SCHOOL PREMISES
    22. CLIQUES AND UNION ACTIVITIES ARE NOT ALLOWED IN PRIVATE SCHOOLS
    23. NO SPEAKING TO THE PRESS ON BEHALF OF THE SCHOOL WITHOUT AUTHORIZATION
    24. RESPECT AND REGARD FOR CONSTITUTED AUTHORITY IS NON NEGOTIABLE.
    25. PROTECT THE INTEREST OF THE SCHOOL AT ALL TIMES
    26. DO NOT DIVULGE SCHOOL CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION TO THIRD PARTIES.
    27. DO NOT USE THE SCHOOL PROPERTY FOR PRIVATE USE OUTSIDE THE SCHOOL -CHALK, MARKERS, etc
    28. DO NOT ENGAGE IN BIAS, FAVOURISM AND DOUBLE STANDARD – TREAT ALL STUDENTS EQUALLY
    29. MANAGE YOUR CLASS WELL- ROWDY/NOISY CLASSES WILL NOT BE TOLERATED
    30. ALL COMPLAINTS MADE BY PARENTS MUST BE ADDRESSED WITHIN TWENTY-FOUR HOURS. DO NOT KEEP PARENTS COMPLAINTS UNATTENDED TO (UNLESS IT IS BEYOND YOUR CONTROL)
    31. BE SAFETY AND SECURITY CONSCIOUS AT ALL TIMES. REPORT ANOMALIES IMMEDIATELY
    32. ENSURE YOU MARK ALL HOMEWORK, ASSIGNMENTS AND CORRECTIONS OF YOUR PUPILS
    33. DO NOT USE ABUSIVE OR DEROGATORY WORDS ON YOUR STUDENTS
    34. DO NOT PLACE ANY FORM OF LEVIES OR DEMANDS ON THE STUDENTS WITHOUT AUTHORIZATION
    35. INSUBORDINATION IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE
    36. ASKING PARENTS FOR FAVOURS AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO THE DETRIMENT OF THE SCHOOLS IMAGE IS UNACCEPTABLE
    37. INDULGING IN ANY FORM OF EXAMINATION/MARKING MALPRACTICE IS NOT ALLOWED.
    38. TEACHERS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO LEAVE THE SCHOOL PREMISES WITHOUT AUTHORIZATION
    39. ANY CHILD WHO IS ABSENT FROM SCHOOL MUST HAVE HIS/HER PARENTS CONTACTED.
    40. ALL TEACHERS SHOULD ASSIST IN EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES IN THE SCHOOL – CLUBS, ETC
    41. SIGNING THE SCHOOL TIME BOOK, CLASS TIME BOOK & STAFF MOVEMENT BOOK IS COMPULSORY
    42. ON NO ACCOUNT SHOULD STUDENTS BE ASKED TO FLOG OTHER STUDENTS (THIS INCLUDES PREFECTS)
    43. DO NOT ADMINISTER DRUGS OR TREATMENT TO SICK STUDENTS WITHOUT AUTHORIZATION FROM MGT.
    44. DO NOT HOLD THE SCHOOL MGT TO RANSOM FOR WHATEVER REASON-TABLE GRIEVANCES RESPONSIBLY
    45. KEEP SCHOOL TALKS AWAY FROM SOCIAL MEDIA
    46. AVOID HEATED DISCUSSIONS ABOUT POLITICS IN THE WORKPLACE.
    47. NO INTERRUPTION OF OTHER TEACHERS DURING CLASSES
    48. AVOID VIOLENT OUTBURST OF ANGER IN THE WORKPLACE.

CODE OF CONDUCT POLICY FOR EMPLOYEES

• INTRODUCTION
  • All staff who work in school set examples of behaviour and conduct which can be copied by pupils.
  • All staff must, therefore, demonstrate high standards of conduct in order to encourage our pupils to do the same.
  • All staff must also avoid putting themselves at risk of allegations of abusive or unprofessional conduct.
  • This code helps all staff to understand what is and what is not acceptable.
• SAFEGUARDING PUPILS
  • Staff has a duty to safeguard pupils from physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse and neglect.
  • The duty to safeguard pupils includes the duty to report concerns about a pupil to the school’s Head for Child’s Protection.
  • Staff must not demean, degrade or humiliate pupils, their parents or guardians or any person related to the pupils with words or actions.
  • Staff must not abuse pupils with objects like canes, palms etc., as a measure of correcting pupils’’ mistakes or deliberate rebels.
  • Staff must take reasonable care of pupils under their supervision with the aim of ensuring their safety and welfare.
• PUPILS DEVELOPMENT
  • Staff must comply with school’s policies and procedures that support the wellbeing and development of pupils including the learning policy.
  • Staff must co-operate and collaborate with colleagues and with external agencies where necessary to support the development of pupils.
  • Staff must not engage in the use of mobile phones in classrooms; it must not be an object of distraction for teachers and pupils. A stiff fine is applicable if found violating this policy; as a measure of discipline.
• HONESTY AND INTEGRITY
  • Staff must maintain high standards of honesty and integrity in their work. This includes the handling and claiming of money and the use of school property and facilities.
  • Staff must always dress decently and cooperate to work in order to uphold the integrity of the profession. Shoes with cooperate outfits and not sandals, except Sports Wednesdays and Native Fridays. Flat shoes are recommended for teachers for comfort. Teachers must look sporty on Wednesday.
  • Staff must not engage in assault or fight with parents/guardians or any other employees in the school.
• CONDUCT OUTSIDE WORK
  • Staff must not engage in conduct outside work that could seriously damage the reputation standing of the school or employee’s reputation of other members of the school community.
  • In particular, criminal offences that involve violence or possession or misuse of drugs or sexual misconduct are likely to be regarded as unacceptable.
• CONFIDENTIALITY
  • Where staff has access to confidential information about pupils or their parents or guardians, they must not reveal such information except to those colleagues who have a professional role in relation to the pupils.
  • Every staff is at some point, likely to witness actions that need to be confidential. For example, where a pupil is bullied by another pupil (or by a member of staff), this need to be reported and dealt with in accordance with the appropriate school procedure. It must not be discussed outside the school, including with the pupil’s parents or guardian, nor with colleagues in the school except with a senior member of staff with the appropriate role and authority to deal with the matter.
  • However, the staff has an obligation to share with the Academic Director, any information which gives rise to concern about the safety or welfare of pupils. Staff must NEVER promise to a pupil that he will not act on information that he was told by the pupil.
• PUNCTUALITY
  • The resumption time for all teaching staff is 7:15 am daily, except otherwise stipulated by the management.
  • The closing time for all teaching staff is 4:00 pm (Monday through Thursday), while 2:00 pm on Fridays.
  • Any absence from work without authorized permission by the school management is not entertained, and all permissions must be in written form. Absents from work attract a deduction in remuneration.
  • Teachers must attend morning devotions. Your absence automatically means you are late.
  • All staff must achieve an excellent remark on punctuality. Lateness attracts 200 fine.
•  STAFF DRESS AND CONDUCT
  • Staff is seen as a role model, and as such, should always give careful consideration to how they dress and act. To ensure consistency across the school, it is important the message given to pupils about expectations for clothing is reflected in the professional clothing choices of all staff. Whilst it is not possible to list every possible clothing option here, it is hoped that staff will support the code of professional conduct and will dress in a way that reflects the high esteem we are held by children and their families. To maintain a professional appearance and to be consistent with the high expectation placed on children and the families of [School Name]  community, the wearing of causal items or items of clothing that could be deemed by others as too revealing should be avoided.
  • Due to health and safety reasons, the wearing of flip flops and baring shoulders is not allowed.
• DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS

Every staff needs to recognize that failure to meet the appropriate standards of behaviour and conduct may result in disciplinary actions.

Declaration:                                                  

I _____________________________, have read the above rules and regulations and hereby undersign, accepting to abide y them throughout my stay at [School name]. The school management reserves the right to discipline me as considered fit in the case of me breaking any of these rules.

Sign: _________________                                                                                        Date: __________________