Towards a professional ethics: conflicts of interest in the relationships that occur in educational settings
There are two types of ethical obligations faced by professionals who thrive in educational contexts: the institutional obligations to both internal customers (junior, support staff, etc..) And with external customers (students, community, society in general) and professional obligations that need to be part of a given professional field. However, in both cases it is expected that decisions made are made from the perspective of an expert and with the greatest responsibility for the actions and respect for who your beneficiaries or recipients.
But most people, when confronted with a professional decision, faces three questions: 1) What should I do as a human being?, 2) How should I act as a professional? and 3) In case of conflict, how should I solve it? Indeed, in contexts where it interacts a great variety of people, it is likely to occur at an ethical conflict. For example, if a teacher finds that a student is about to fail and he or she feels about high esteem, might be tempted to make a hasty decision and help you pass, without considering the consequences. Similarly, kinship relationships exist between staff members of the same organization also serious ethical conflicts could occur, because in this plane which is the premium inherent relational protection, so the professional level is far behind in the priority scale. In both cases, the practitioner is expected to reflect on the special duties of their position in the organization, which should overcome the obligations as human beings.
However, in the educational context, apparently there is no single code of behavior generally accepted beyond the basic duty to act honestly. Moreover, it is not obvious that all professionals involved in education always act professionally. Therefore, the effort of this essay lies in order to resolve this conflict or gap in area of \u200b\u200bprofessional ethics. Clearly, here we can identify two key words that refer to any profession: expertise and honesty. Therefore, sufficient for a waver to professional ethics affected.
In this context, there are three defining characteristics of any profession: 1) expertise in a particular area, 2) willingness to apply it in a responsible manner and 3) membership of a professional core. The first relates to professional competence, the second is related to professional ethics, while the third is identified with membership of a professional community to which we should respect and recognition is expected. In However, the three features are identified with the idea to profess a principle, doctrine or religion. From there it is possible that there will be conflict with the normal duties (responding to privacy) and professional duties (which are part of the institutional mission.)
Professional ethics necessarily involves reconciling the answers to three questions posed above. In other words, business decisions need a process of searching and reflection, as a professional always have certain expectations regarding their knowledge and behavior. This forces to discriminate between right and wrong in light of the scrutiny total public and inner conviction.
In short, any effort made in terms of professional ethics should also include four fundamental principles:
a) Respect for the rights and dignity: treating customers (internal and external) and people with intrinsic value to determine their own priorities, while respecting their dignity and giving due consideration to their moral and cultural values;
b) Professional competence: staying permanently updated in professional skills and ethical awareness;
c) Responsibilities: Act as trusted professionals, high reputation and capacity to account for public of their actions, and
d) Integrity: Act honestly and in accordance with the qualifications that are owned, which will result in the effectiveness of the services provided, and, ultimately, in any activity that is exercised.
In short, in a context where industry relationships, conflicts between professional and personal interests could be resolved only through a code of ethics to be fully met, socialized, and shared by all members of a educational unit. Thus, it would have a reference held to discuss ethical issues related to professional work, avoiding, by the way, the well-known internal summaries, which unfortunately already part of our national culture.