PROFESSIONAL CODE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26771, 14 May 1948, Page 6

PROFESSIONAL CODE

EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE PROPOSAL ADOPTED A professional code for members was recommended by the annual conference of the New Zealand Educational Institute, meeting at Dunedin. This decision followed a discussion in closed session to consider the motion of Mr J. Box (Auckland), whose report on a professional code was adopted. Mr Box said he suggested the adop tion of certain guiding principles of ideals. Because of the real influence of teachers on society, they accepted a high responsibility that required ideals of service. Every profession held in high regard by the community had built its status on the service of its members. The adoption of a professional code, said Mr Box, was the first step towards a real control of the profession, as was exercised by other professional bodies. Mr Box cited teachers’ organisations in England and Australia, which, he said, regarded their written codes as an essential part of their administration. The report, which was submitted as a result of a decision at the annual conference last year, divided the proposed code into two sections, the first being a promise by members of the institute, the other a list of acts that would be considered “unprofessional.”