Code of Professional Practice
The degree of Bachelor of Education is a professional degree, which provides for the academic and professional requirements of primary teachers. Graduates of the course are eligible for recognition by the Department of Education as fully trained teachers in accordance with the Rules and Regulations for National Schools. Student teachers are, therefore, expected to attain a high standard of education, acquire a broad range of professional skills, and observe the regulations of the University and College of Education in which they are enrolled.
Regular and punctual attendance at lectures, seminars and tutorials is essential throughout the academic year. Assignments and course work must be submitted at prescribed times. When students are prevented from attending lectures or submitting course work due to illness or other legitimate reasons then the prescribed procedures relating to such instances must be strictly followed.
School experience is regarded as central to the degree programme. When engaged in teaching practice students are required to prepare adequately, attend punctually and fully, and to harmonise their conduct with the accepted conventions of the school and the requirements of their College of Education. Students will be expected to show sensitivity and understanding in their relationships with pupils, teachers and parents.
Since the primary duty of the National School Teacher is seen as the formation of the pupil’s character and the inculcation of moral values, student teachers are themselves, in their behaviour, conduct and character, expected to exhibit the capacity to undertake this work successfully and in accordance with the ethos of the schools in which they may be expected to serve.
The Rules and Regulations of the Department of Education provide for circumstances in which students may be required to discontinue form the course of training on medical or other grounds. However, before such a course of action is followed, students who are failing to make satisfactory progress or who for any other reasons appear unsuitable for the teaching profession will, except in very unusual circumstances, be warned of this possibility by the principal of the college concerned.