1.3 PROFESSION
Unfortunately, the word "profession" is not often clearly defined and it has varying connotations and many different usages in the literature. There are, however, a number of widely accepted criteria which can be applied to what are generally considered to be professions. In a profession, there is:
1.Social Service:
The conscious satisfaction of an indispensable social service which takes precedence over the personal interests of its members.
2. Long period of education and training:
A relatively long and highly organized period of intellectual preparation and study of specialized knowledge, with the necessary in-service study and professional growth required to keep up with advancements in the field.
3. Use of scientific principles:
Evidence of the use of scientific principics in the exercise of skills which are not possessed by and which cannot always be judged objectively by the general public..
4. Development of scientific techniques:
The development of a scientific technique as the result of systematically tested experience.
5. Holding power:
Holding power which provides a life career for itsmembers.
6.Beneficial service:
Beneficial service rather than accomplishment of units of work or the use of units of time.
7. Autonomy:
No need for immediate supervision and direction. These are usually not required since members are qualified and expected to exercise discretion and judgment in the performance of their services.
8.Provision of standards of performance and code of ethics:
The establishment of its own standards of performance and provision of its own code of ethics.
9. Guarantee of competence:
The guarantee of competence and recognition of an obligation to society by the disciplining of its own membership for ethical violations.
10.Establishment of an organization:
An organization established and operated by itself in order to promote the general welfare of its members.
DEFINITION OF PROFESSION
"A profession is a group of people in a learned occupation, the members of which agree to abide by specified rules of conduct when practicing the profession."There are many professions and they are controlled to varying degrees by professional, regulatory of governmental bodies. Typical professions are medicine, dentistry, law, engineering, architecture, social work, nursing, and accountancy. Most definitions of profession identify working for the public good' as among the characteristics of the profession.
1.4 TEACHING PROFESSION
Teaching profession is a disciplined group of teachers who adhere to ethical standards and uphold themselves to, and are accepted by, the public as possessing special knowledge and skills in a widely recognized body of learning derived from research, education and training at a high level, and who are prepared to exercise this knowledge and these skills in the interest of others.