A new code of conduct for teachers in South Australia warns educators not to engage in relationships with former students and also includes guidelines for activism in their lives outside the classroom.
A document to support the code of conduct, introduced by the Teachers Registration Board of SA, includes set of ‘commonly asked questions’ that address a range of topics, including the issue of engaging in sexual relations with a former student of a consenting age.
Relationships with former students described as ‘extremely risky’
The document came into effect on 1 August and states that relationships with former students are ‘an extremely risky area’ and that it is ‘easy to breach professional standards’ – adding that, ‘as a matter of best practice, teachers should refrain from engaging in a sexual relationship with a former student’.
If a teacher does develop a relationship with a student who previously studied at a school where that teacher was employed, the document warns that ‘it would be reasonable that the relationship would be investigated’.
The code of conduct guide explains that a probe into whether communication between the teacher and former student has been ongoing, whether ‘an appropriate amount of time has passed between graduation and the relationship commencing’ and if any ‘grooming behaviour’ was involved would be expected.
It also outlines that, at a minimum, ‘at least several years have passed’ after graduation before any form of personal relationship between a teacher and a former student begins.
Teachers, it states, should also reject friend requests students may send to the teacher’s personal accounts on social media.
Activism is ok – as long as it does not create ‘invasive discomfort’ in the school community
When it comes to engaging in activism outside of work hours, the new code of conduct advises that, while teachers have a right to express personal views, ‘it should be done in a manner that upholds the reputation of the teaching profession’, adding that any SA teachers who are involved in activism outside the classroom should only do it in ‘a way that does not create conflict or invasive discomfort for students or colleagues’.
