Value-Based Education: Professional Development vital towards effective integration

Abstract

Value-based education promotes a thought provoking and interactive environment for the students through the values incorporated in the curriculum. It promotes quality education and holistic development of each child for a bright future. Teachers play an important role in helping students imbibe the values. Professional development is vital in integrating values in the classroom. Understanding the principles and aim of values education enable teachers to create effective learning environment for values education. This article suggests steps to construct a value based curriculum towards quality education. This also emphasizes the importance and need for teacher training for better outcome on the topic, and also suggests a plan to prepare teachers as values educators. I. Need for Value-based Education Value based education instills educational and cultural values among students and aims at achieving multi-faceted development of a human being namely intellectual, physical, spiritual, and ethical development. The values incorporated in a value-based curriculum may include cooperation, responsibility, happiness, simplicity, unity, peace, respect, love, tolerance, honesty, humility, and freedom. The main purpose of holistic education is to prepare students to meet the challenges of living as well as academics. Multiple studies have reported that value based education is a holistic approach to students' education, one that provides complete education of body and mind through innovative approaches and critical educational thinking. Education can be considered as a means to impart general and specific information; teaching skills and most importantly inculcate values. The present system of education is almost wholly geared to the first, a little to the second and only marginally to the third (Burra, 2007). The neglect of ethical values, which should form the substratum of any good education, has led to ineffectual, decadent, empty learning. Burra describes in the article that it is the duty of every society to pass on the values enshrined in its scriptures and philosophical texts to each generation, in order, that the spirit of its culture lives on. This can be achieved only when education is value oriented. Education should be a process of acquiring true knowledge. In planning for good values and objectives, the teacher and student will have to cooperate and work together. The purpose of education is to strengthen character in the younger generation which is an answer to many of the problems that face people today. It can bring about a widespread renewal of individual commitment to an active life of principle and this renewal is imperative. Values like truth, right action, love, peace and non violence include in a balanced way the profound moral insights of the great civilizations. II. Linking Value-based education to teachers and teacher training In the 21 st century, it is vital to recognize that Value-Based education integrated into the school curriculum promotes quality education and positive school environment. Initiatives in schools around the world have stressed upon an all around development of the students by implementing Value-Based Education programs. Yet it is a greatest challenge in education to teach how to imbibe values as it is different from imparting knowledge of mathematics or science. Teachers help student perceive information and transform it to knowledge and to wisdom. At the same time, they help adolescent to develop love of knowledge and try to transform into a good citizen. More than ever, now our young people need to have compassion, adaptability, moral courage, patience, and increased tolerance. Cavazos (2002) noted that teaching values in our schools is a vital part of preparing children for the inevitable challenge and occasional pain of real-life decision making. In the article the writer believes that teaching values can enhance education. Values can be positive or negative, depending on circumstances, and this author adds that a values-based education is an education in thinking, in weighing and making choices, in exploring consequences, and in working through problems to find which approaches are helpful in reaching positive, healthy solutions. In an attempt to balance academic achievement and character education, schools and teachers must respect the primary role of the parents and family (Cavazos, 2002). Value-based programs help schools and teachers go hand in hand with the parents by working with them and incorporating values to provide the best educational environment possible for their children.