Ethical guidelines for Happy Schools participants
While not a full-fledged membership association, Happy Schools feels it has a role to play as a professional organization for ESL/EFL teachers worldwide. It is in the best interest of students, schools and teachers themselves that Happy Schools participants comport themselves professionally and responsibly. Happy Schools promotes the following standards of ethical conduct for participating teachers, schools and teacher training programs.
Teachers agree to:
- Do no harm, directly or indirectly, to any student entrusted to his/her care;
- Respect the dignity and rights of all persons without prejudice to race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or age;
- Not to undertake an intimate relationship with any of his/her students;
- Not act in a manner that diminishes/compromises the reputation of the Happy Schools program or participant school;
- Not to take advantage of the opportunity to teach English worldwide to commit crimes of any kind.
Schools owners and/or directors agree to:
- Act professionally and follow all terms as stipulated with the Employees contract;
- Not to undertake an intimate relationship with any of his/her teachers or students;
- Respect the dignity and rights of all persons without prejudice to race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or age;
- Not act in a manner that diminishes/compromises the reputation of the Happy Schools program;
- Report any lewd or illegal teacher behavior to the Happy Schools Program.
Teacher Training Programs agree to:
- Encourage their course participants to comport themselves professionally;
- Discourage/prevent known offenders, particularly pedophiles, from taking their course*;
- Respect the dignity and rights of all persons without prejudice to race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or age;
- Not act in a manner that diminishes/compromises the reputation of the Happy Schools program;
- Report any lewd or illegal teacher behavior to the Happy Schools Program.
* In some countries it is illegal to deny education of any kind to a convicted criminal
As a Happy Schools registrant, you recognize and accept that participation in the Happy Schools program is both a personal responsibility and a professional commitment. Participants pledge themselves to the spirit of the program and Ethical Guidelines. You further acknowledge that failing to do so could result in cancellation of your registration.