Teaching profession ethical code – UGC NET Question

Option B – code of professional ethics Professions such as teaching, medicine and law are characterized by specialized knowledge, service orientation and adherence to ethical standards. A code of professional ethics provides formal guidelines about what is considered acceptable and unacceptable behaviour in dealing with students, colleagues and society. It helps teachers resolve dilemmas related to confidentiality, fairness, impartiality and respect for learners’ dignity. Thus, when teaching is treated as a profession, a code of professional ethics becomes a key reference for guiding duties and conduct.

Option A:
Option A, service rules, generally covers administrative aspects like leave, working hours and procedures, which are part of employment conditions rather than a moral framework. Although teachers must obey service rules, these do not fully address broader ethical issues such as equity, respect and integrity in teaching. Hence, service rules alone cannot capture the idea of a guiding moral code for professional conduct.

Option B:
Option B, code of professional ethics, explicitly refers to a set of moral principles and standards developed for members of a profession. For teachers, such a code includes commitments to student welfare, fairness in evaluation and responsible use of authority. Because the stem mentions a guide to duties and conduct when teaching is seen as a profession, this option accurately completes the statement.

Option C:
Option C, salary structure, relates to the financial remuneration system for teachers and may influence job attractiveness but not directly their moral decisions. Pay scales do not usually tell teachers how to handle sensitive issues like favoritism or privacy. Therefore, salary structure is not the guiding framework for professional conduct suggested in the question.

Option D:
Option D, academic calendar, indicates the schedule of terms, examinations and vacations. It organizes institutional time but does not prescribe ethical standards for interactions with learners and colleagues. Consequently, it cannot be the “specific” guide to professional duties and conduct that the stem refers to.