Usually I avoid the Daily Mail and probably will for a long long time however Robert linked me to this article earlier today. The article is titled ‘teachers’ moan that new code conduct that will stop them getting drunk‘ and when reading the article the headline kind of sums it up.

In a nutshell the article states that a new code of conduct drawn up by the General Teaching Council aims to make teachers role models in society again maintaining ‘reasonable standards in their own behaviour’ and even the unions seem to be on the side of the teachers.

It’s an interesting topic and some people would suggest that it goes back to the old school role of the teacher. Jo and myself visited her Grandparents a few weeks ago and one thing they were saying was that it wouldn’t be uncommon to see the headmaster of the local school walking down the street dragging a misbehaving child home to their parents. In his book ‘I’m only being honest’ Jeremy Kyle reflects that when he was younger his neighbours would give other neighbours kids a clip round the ear and that would be fine but if someone was to tell someone else’s child that now the scenario would be very different.

So should teachers be role models in society and should they have to sign something that states that they must maintain an example outside of the school setting?

The answer is both yes and no.

I think it’s completely right that teachers should be setting role models, if a teacher is standing up in PSHE and saying ‘you shouldn’t drink to excess because it’s unhealthy’ yet every Friday they’re in the pub or night club with the rest of the staff doing just that then what kind of message does that send to the pupils who see them? However I think it’s sad that we feel the need to make teachers sign something to set an example in society and ideally it should be a moral choice not one that comes with the job.

The other issue really that comes with this article is whether it matters how a teacher behaves outside the class room? Do young people have any respect for their teachers? Do young people actually see teachers as role models? However I don’t think there is an answer to it and I think it varies a lot. I guess to some extent those who educate you will always have some kind of effect on you whether it positive or negative and our reactions to how we see those people behave will equally have an effect on us.

So should teachers sign this? I would say no but I think teachers should think about their role in society and the responsibility they hold as role models… surely someone who teaches something should believe in what they preach? Perhaps the alternative is to get people in who do believe what they say!

Apologies for what perhaps hasn’t been my most interesting return to blogging but more will follow soon!