Ethical Guidelines for Teaching and Supervision at NMH

All employees at the Norwegian Academy of Music (NMH) are bound by the "Ethical Guidelines for the Civil Service," which emphasize key principles such as transparency, loyalty, and integrity. Considering the asymmetrical relationship between teachers/supervisors and students, NMH has developed a specific set of ethical guidelines for teaching and supervision. All NMH employees are in a position of power relative to students and must be aware of this. These guidelines focus on the interaction between teacher/supervisor and student. The term "teacher" in this document includes anyone engaged in any form of teaching or supervision. The guidelines are intended as a tool to ensure a safe, respectful, and professional relationship between teachers and students at the Norwegian Academy of Music and to contribute to a positive learning environment for all.

In any teaching or supervisory situation, there is an inherent disparity in power, experience, and responsibility. Teachers must be mindful of this imbalance and ensure that their actions and decisions do not exploit students or violate their integrity. In situations where the teacher feels that the student is acting inappropriately, it is important to contact their manager for support and guidance. As teaching at NMH largely takes place in one-to-one or small-group settings behind closed doors, it is especially important that teachers remain conscious of ethical considerations.

Teachers at NMH play an important role as both professional and ethical role models. Through their conduct, teaching practices, and communication, they have a direct impact on the academic and personal development of their students. Teachers must therefore act with professionalism, fairness, and respect in all situations.

Teachers must show respect for the personal and academic integrity of students. Part of the teaching role involves providing feedback that may at times be demanding. At the same time, it is essential to acknowledge the student’s right to their own opinions, choices, and experiences within the framework of academic guidance and development. Teachers must avoid any form of discrimination, harassment, or offensive behavior.

Teachers should also avoid negative commentary about colleagues or other students. Furthermore, it is important to avoid unjustified preferential treatment of one’s own or others’ students, and students should be shielded from any disputes between teachers.

Teachers must be aware of issues related to dual relationships that may undermine or threaten the professionalism of the teacher-student relationship.

a. Family Relationships

Teachers should avoid teaching, supervising, or assessing family members unless specific agreements ensuring impartiality have been made.

b. Professional Relationships

Teachers should be mindful of how professional connections outside NMH may affect the teaching or supervisory situation. This includes relationships that may lead to conflicts of interest of a financial nature or related to status and reputation.

c. Romantic Relationships

Romantic relationships between a teacher and a student are incompatible with a professional teacher-student relationship and must be avoided. Even if a romantic relationship between a teacher and a student appears consensual, the imbalance of power can lead to questions about whether the student’s consent is truly free. Should such relationships occur, the closest manager must be informed, and teaching or supervisory responsibilities must be transferred to another teacher.

Teachers must maintain the trust and confidentiality of students. This entails handling personal information with discretion and respect while maintaining professional boundaries. Teachers should be supportive of students in difficult life situations but must not take on the role of a therapist. In cases of serious concern for a student, the teacher should seek advice from their manager or the student’s designated contact person. General confidentiality provisions under the Public Administration Act also apply.

Teachers can be personal but not private in their interactions with students. By sharing their own experiences and values, trust can be built while maintaining a clear professional role by avoiding the disclosure of personal problems or intimate details from their private lives.

Teachers must demonstrate academic integrity in all teaching and supervision. This includes proper citation practices, accountability in academic assessments, and a commitment to maintaining high standards of academic quality and integrity. If teachers wish to use students’ performances, artistic works, or research in their own activities, this must be agreed upon with the student in advance.

Teachers must handle conflicts in a professional and solution-oriented manner. Conflicts between a teacher and a student should be resolved through dialogue, but serious conflicts or breaches of the guidelines should be reported through the Academy’s established systems or addressed directly with supervisors, union representatives, or the occupational health and safety service.

• Employees wishing to report misconduct can do so via The Whistle-blowing site
• Students wishing to report misconduct can do so via the site for reporting unwanted conduct

These pages ensure anonymity if desired. More information about how such cases are handled, both for the reporter and for the person being reported, can also be found there.

Breaches of these guidelines will result in actions from the employer. In cases where breaches involve violations of laws or regulations, relevant sanction rules may apply. Severe breaches of the guidelines may also constitute violations of official duties, misconduct in service, or improper behavior, cf. Sections 20 and 26 of the Civil Servants Act.