ETHICS AND PROFESSIONAL COMMITMENT IN PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS' PROFILES

There is wide consensus on how important the teaching profession is to society because of the key role teachers play in the education, and personal, social and professional orientation of future generations. In recent years, special interest has been placed on defining and fostering development of basic essential competences to equip teachers to practise their profession properly. It is important to note the ethical competence and professional commitment, which, while not directly related to teachers' professional duties, should form an integral part of all their activities. We must not overlook the fact that teachers practise a profession in which the results of their work and actions have a direct effect on human beings. They must therefore be cautious, committed and truly concerned for the people they are influencing and those they work with. This communication focuses on analysing the time, actions and contexts in which this competence is especially necessary. Emphasis is placed on specifying the features that teachers should develop to achieve an ethical committed performance.