MenelikEducation partnership recognises that many decisions required of those who work with young children are of a moral and ethical nature. Our Code of Ethical Conduct offers guidelines for responsible behaviour and sets forth a common basis for resolving the principal ethical dilemmas encountered in childhood care and education. Many of the provisions also apply to individuals and organisations who work directly or not, with us.
Core Values
Standards of ethical behaviuor in childhood care and education are based on commitment to core values that are deeply rooted.
Statement of Commitment
Ethical responsibilities to Childhood
We are committed to supporting children's development, respect individual differences, help children learn to live and work cooperatively, and promote health, self-awareness, competence, self-worth, and resiliency.
Ethical responsibilities to families
Families are of primary importance in children's development. (The term family may include others, besides parents, who are responsibly involved with the child.) We acknowledge a primary responsibility to bring about collaboration between the home and school in ways that enhance the child's development.
Ethical responsibilities to colleagues
In a caring, cooperative work place, human dignity is respected, professional satisfaction is promoted, and positive relationships are modeled. Based upon our core values, our primary responsibility in this arena is to establish and maintain settings and relationships that support productive work and meet professional needs. The same ideals that apply to children are inherent in our responsibilities to adults.
Ethical responsibilities to community and society
Our programmes operate within a context of an immediate community made up of families and other institutions concerned with children's welfare. Our responsibilities to the community are to provide programmes that meet its needs, to cooperate with agencies and professions that share responsibility for children, and to develop needed programmes that are not currently available. We acknowledge an obligation to serve as a voice for children everywhere.
Statement of Commitment
As individuals who works with young children, we commit ourselves to furthering the values of education as they are reflected in the MenelikEducation Partnership Code of Ethical Conduct.
To the best of our ability we will:
· Ensure that programmes for young children are based on current knowledge of child development and education.
· Respect and support families in their task of nurturing children.
· Respect colleagues in early childhood education and support them in maintaining the MenelikEducation Partnership Code of Ethical Conduct.
· Serve as an advocate for children, their families, and their teachers in community and society.
· Maintain high standards of professional conduct.
· Recognise how personal values, opinions, and biases can affect professional judgment.
· Be open to new ideas and be willing to learn from the suggestions of others.
· Continue to learn, grow, and contribute as professionals.
· Honor the ideals and principles of the MenelikEducation Partnership Code of Ethical Conduct.