, TPS3704 Assignment 2 Semester 1 2026 - DUE 2026
1.1 Identification and analysis of ethical and professional breaches
The extract reveals several ethical and professional breaches that
contravene the principles of ethical teaching practice and the
expectations set out in the SACE Code of Professional Ethics.
Breach 1: Publicly humiliating and undermining a learner
The first ethical breach occurs when the student teacher makes a
general remark that learners who fail to submit work “lack discipline
and commitment,” despite being aware of Lerato’s socio-economic
challenges. Although Lerato is not named, the reaction of other
learners laughing and directing attention towards her demonstrates
that the comment effectively singled her out. This conduct is ethically
problematic because it violates the principle of respect for learner
dignity. Teachers are required to create a supportive and inclusive
learning environment, particularly for learners facing structural barriers
to learning. Public comments that shame or stigmatise learners can
lead to emotional harm, reduced self-esteem, and disengagement from
learning, as evidenced by Lerato’s withdrawal during the lesson and
subsequent decline in academic performance.
Breach 2: Breach of confidentiality regarding learner information
The second ethical breach arises when the student teacher discusses
Lerato’s academic difficulties with another student teacher in a public
corridor where learners could overhear the conversation. This
constitutes a violation of learner confidentiality, a core ethical
obligation in teaching. Information about a learner’s academic struggles
and personal circumstances should only be shared with authorised
professionals and within appropriate, private contexts. Discussing such
1.1 Identification and analysis of ethical and professional breaches
The extract reveals several ethical and professional breaches that
contravene the principles of ethical teaching practice and the
expectations set out in the SACE Code of Professional Ethics.
Breach 1: Publicly humiliating and undermining a learner
The first ethical breach occurs when the student teacher makes a
general remark that learners who fail to submit work “lack discipline
and commitment,” despite being aware of Lerato’s socio-economic
challenges. Although Lerato is not named, the reaction of other
learners laughing and directing attention towards her demonstrates
that the comment effectively singled her out. This conduct is ethically
problematic because it violates the principle of respect for learner
dignity. Teachers are required to create a supportive and inclusive
learning environment, particularly for learners facing structural barriers
to learning. Public comments that shame or stigmatise learners can
lead to emotional harm, reduced self-esteem, and disengagement from
learning, as evidenced by Lerato’s withdrawal during the lesson and
subsequent decline in academic performance.
Breach 2: Breach of confidentiality regarding learner information
The second ethical breach arises when the student teacher discusses
Lerato’s academic difficulties with another student teacher in a public
corridor where learners could overhear the conversation. This
constitutes a violation of learner confidentiality, a core ethical
obligation in teaching. Information about a learner’s academic struggles
and personal circumstances should only be shared with authorised
professionals and within appropriate, private contexts. Discussing such
