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OPINIONS
COVID-19 AND ETHICS OF

TEACHING:

Article by
“Do unto others as you would have Dr Salim Mohamed
Department of Science and
them do unto you” Technology Studies

The Covid-19 challenge for university life is not a The genuine duty of a lecturer is to
trivial one. It challenges the education system that has been ensure that the knowledge presented is truly
comfortable in the existing norms. There is no denying that understood so that students can benefit from it. In
learning and teaching in the new post-Covid-19 norms have the face of the Covid-19 pandemic, online
had an impact not only on students, but also on lecturers learning is sometimes complicated, we do not see
who have been so comfortable teaching in lecture halls and students face to face, and it is difficult to identify
laboratories, with the presence of beloved students. students who may have problems. However, this
However, the challenge must be faced and addressed. should not be used as an excuse. If we adhere to
Despite the difficulties, there is something to be learned; i.e., the principle of "treat others never simply as a
responsibilities and duties as an educator should be means, but always as an end," we will definitely do
shouldered well in these challenging times. I would like to our job as educatorsbetter.
share about the duties and responsibilities as lecturers in
Therefore, we need to realize that the
terms of the ethical point of view by quoting the "Golden Rule
learning should not stop at the end of the online
of Kantian Deontology" - "Do unto others as you would have
learning session only. There may be other
them do unto you". The ethical theory of deontology
communication mediums that can be explored in
(Deon=duty) was developed by German philosopher
ensuring that the student-lecturer relationship
Immanuel Kant (1724-1804). Kantian deontology is an ethics
continues to run harmoniously and effectively.
of respecting people.
Meanwhile, if one acts in such a way as to further
According to Kant, every person, by virtue of his other the happiness or welfare of another, then one acts
humanity (i.e., rational nature) has an inherent dignity. beneficently. This is the “imperfect duty” of a
Everyone, as a rational being, has the right to be respected, not lecturer that needs to be given full attention. In
only from others but also from themselves. This instructs us to facing the challenge of meeting Generation-Z (Gen-
"act in such a way that you always treat humanity, whether to Z) students’ learning preference (especially during
yourself or to others, never simply as means, but always as an the online learning), lecturers should explore
end." In Deontology, there are two kinds of duties: perfect various alternative learning strategies that use the
duties, and imperfect duties (which refers to Beneficence). latest technology that can attract them to
Perfect duties; requires us to do or stay away from certain participate actively and effectively. This is not
actions. There are no valid exceptions to the perfect duties. something that is mandatory, but it is something
Meanwhile, imperfect duties require us to pursue or promote a that lecturers should consider seriously. In addition,
specific goal (end) (e.g., the well-being or welfare of others). in this context, lecturers also need to be concerned
According to Kant, respect for others requires us not only that about prioritizing the concepts of fairness or equal
we avoid using them merely as a means, but also that we treatment, concern and mutual respect among
commit ourselves in some general way to promoting their students. Let us all face the challenges of Covid-19
happiness or well-being. As lecturers (in regard to the by doing our job with full dedication, integrity
deontology theory), our perfect duty is to carry out the trust and sincerity.
of imparting knowledge to students with full dedication. It is
not only a professional career, but also a great responsibility
in educating the nation.
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