Sir, – I welcome the signing of the Statutory Instrument for the fitness to practice section of the Teaching Council Act – albeit 15 years after the introduction of the Act itself. It will be welcomed by the vast majority of teachers as an advancement for the profession.
To compare this new development as being similar to those for doctors and nurses misses one most important point: doctors and nurses have codes of ethics which underpin their professions.
The Teaching Council published the current version of the Code of Professional Conduct for Teachers in which it refers to ethical values of respect, care, integrity and trust – and then states what teachers should do in the case of these four ethical values.
Doctors and nurses don’t do “should”; their codes of ethics state “will” and “will not”. There is a world of difference between what a professional “will” do and what a professional “should do” – one is binding and the other is desirable.
No professional should be without an underpinning code of ethics, from which it then formulates its codes of professional conduct and practice.
Ethical values are not a code of ethics. The teaching profession in Ireland wants and needs a code of ethics.
– Yours, etc,
Dr DECLAN MAC DAID
Stillorgan,
Co Dublin.
A chara, – As a retired school principal I welcome the announcement that teachers who are deemed unfit to teach will be assessed by a disciplinary committee.
There should be no place in any school for underperforming teachers or teachers found guilty of gross misconduct.
However I wonder will there be any recognition for those multitudes of teachers who give of their best in the classroom and then coach their pupils after school in a range of sports for no payment? Will there be any “well dones” for those teachers who spend hours on preparation and correction at home? Again for no payment.
The vast majority of teachers fall into the last two categories.
Of course let us assess and inquire into unprofessional and below standard teachers but be cognizant of the very professional and above standard majority.
– Is mise,
PAT BURKE WALSH
Gorey,
Co Wexford.