LEWB: Code Of Professional Conduct – Teacher And Student Interactions

Effective Date: January 6, 2025

1. Preamble and Purpose

Learn English with Bathabile (hereinafter referred to as "LEWB" or "the School") is dedicated to fostering a safe, respectful, and professional learning environment. This Code of Professional Conduct (hereinafter referred to as "the Code") outlines the non-negotiable rules governing interactions between teachers and students. Its purpose is to ensure that all relationships remain strictly professional and conducive to effective language education. Adherence to this Code is a condition of employment for all teachers and enrolment for all students.

The School unequivocally states that the teacher-student relationship is one of inherent power imbalance. Teachers hold a position of trust and authority, and it is their primary responsibility to maintain professional boundaries at all times.

2. Professional Boundaries

2.1. Solely Professional Relationship

The relationship between a teacher and a student at LEWB is to be strictly professional and focused on educational advancement. Teachers are in a position of trust and authority, and this position must not be compromised.

2.2. Appropriate Communication

All communication between teachers and students should be professional and limited to matters related to coursework, school activities, or general well-being within the school environment. Communication outside of school hours should be minimal and restricted to official channels (e.g., school email, learning management system) unless otherwise sanctioned for educational purposes by school management. Personal social media connections are strongly discouraged.

2.3. Appropriate Conduct

Teachers and students must maintain appropriate conduct at all times, ensuring interactions are respectful, culturally sensitive, and free from any form of discrimination or harassment.

3. Absolute Prohibition of Romantic and Sexual Relationships

3.1. No Dating or Romantic Relationships

Any form of dating or romantic relationship between a LEWB teacher and a current LEWB student is strictly forbidden. This applies regardless of the age of the student or whether the teacher directly instructs the student in a class. This prohibition extends to any relationship that could reasonably be perceived as romantic or being of a precursor nature to a romantic or sexual relationship.

3.2. No Sexual Relationships

Any sexual relationship between a LEWB teacher and a current LEWB student is strictly forbidden. This is considered gross misconduct and may be subject to legal action in addition to school sanctions.

3.3. Pre-existing Relationships

Should a personal, romantic, or familial relationship exist between a prospective teacher and a prospective or current student prior to either party's engagement with LEWB, this must be immediately and fully disclosed to the School administration. 

The School will assess the situation and may implement measures such as reassigning the student to a different teacher or class, or other actions deemed necessary to prevent any conflict of interest or perception of impropriety. If such a pre-existing relationship is not disclosed and is later discovered, it will be considered a serious breach of this Code.

4. Prohibition Of Sexual Harassment, Flirting, And Inappropriate Conduct

4.1. Zero Tolerance for Sexual Harassment:

LEWB has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual harassment. Sexual harassment includes, but is not limited to, unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favours, and other verbal, non-verbal, or physical conduct of a sexual nature when:

• Submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual's employment or academic progress.

• Submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for employment or academic decisions affecting such an individual.

• Such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's work or academic performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working or learning environment.

4.2. Specific Prohibited Behaviours 

(Teacher towards student and student towards teacher):

• Flirting: Any verbal or non-verbal behaviour intended to elicit a romantic or sexual response, including but not limited to suggestive comments, compliments of a personal or sexual nature beyond professional courtesy, or overly familiar interactions.

• Inappropriate Comments and Questions: Making sexual jokes, innuendos, or comments about a person’s body, appearance, private life, sexual orientation, or experiences.

• Unwanted Physical Contact: Any physical contact that is not essential for pedagogical purposes and could be construed as sexual, romantic, or overly familiar. This includes, but is not limited to, unwelcome touching, hugging, kissing, patting, stroking, or brushing against another person.

• Suggestive Gestures or Materials: Using gestures, displaying or distributing objects, pictures, cartoons, or electronic communications (including emails, social media messages, or texts) that are sexually suggestive, lewd, or offensive.

• Staring or Leering: Looking at someone in a sexually suggestive, intimidating, or demeaning manner.

• Grooming Behaviours: Any actions or behaviours designed to build an inappropriate emotional or sexual rapport with a student or teacher, such as singling out an individual for special attention of a personal nature, excessive gift-giving, or sharing inappropriate personal information.

• Coercion or Bribery: Pressuring, intimidating, or attempting to coerce an individual into any form of social, romantic, or sexual activity, or offering rewards or preferential treatment in exchange for such.

5. Professional Boundaries and Communication

5.1. Professional Demeanour

Teachers and students must maintain a professional and respectful demeanour in all interactions.

5.2. Communication Channels

All communication between teachers and students should primarily occur through official LEWB channels (e.g., school email, learning management system, during class time, or scheduled appointments).

5.3. Social Media and Personal Contact

Teachers are prohibited from initiating or accepting friend/follow requests from current students on personal social media accounts. Communication via personal phone numbers or personal email addresses is strongly discouraged and should only occur in emergencies or with prior explicit approval from school administration for specific, educationally relevant purposes.

5.4. Out-of-School Contact

Meetings or interactions between teachers and students outside of scheduled school activities or official LEWB events are prohibited unless explicitly sanctioned by school administration for legitimate educational purposes and with appropriate safeguards in place (e.g., group settings, parental consent for minors if applicable).

6. Reporting Violations

6.1. Duty to Report

Any individual who believes they have been subjected to, or have witnessed, a violation of this Code has a responsibility to report the incident(s) to the LEWB School Director or a designated senior staff member as soon as possible.

6.2. Confidentiality and Non-Retaliation

Reports will be handled with the utmost seriousness and sensitivity. Confidentiality will be maintained to the extent possible while ensuring a thorough and fair investigation. LEWB prohibits any form of retaliation against individuals who make a good faith report or participate in an investigation.

7. Consequences Of Violations And Legal Ramifications

7.1. Disciplinary Action:

• Teachers: Any violation of this Code by a teacher will be considered serious misconduct and will result in disciplinary action, up to and including immediate termination of employment. Depending on the nature and severity of the violation, LEWB may also be obligated to report the conduct to relevant professional licensing bodies and/or law enforcement authorities.

• Students: Students who violate this Code, particularly concerning harassment of teachers or other students, will be subject to disciplinary action, which may include warnings, suspension, or expulsion from LEWB.

 7.2. Legal Penalties:

All parties are reminded that certain behaviours prohibited by this Code, particularly those constituting sexual harassment or sexual relationships with students (especially minors, though prohibited with all students at LEWB regardless of age), are illegal and punishable by law.

LEWB will cooperate fully with law enforcement agencies in the event of any criminal investigation. It is understood that such actions can carry severe legal penalties under South African law, including but not limited to the Sexual Offences Act and relevant provisions of the Employment of Educators Act and the South African Council for Educators (SACE) Code of Professional Ethics.

8. Acknowledgment

All LEWB teachers, staff, and students (and parents/guardians for students under 18 years of age) are required to read, understand, and acknowledge this Code of Professional Conduct. This acknowledgment signifies agreement to abide by its terms and conditions. LEWB reserves the right to amend this Code of Conduct as necessary. All members of the school community will be notified of any changes.