VALUES IN EDUCATIONAL PRACTICE: EXPLORING LATVIA’S TEACHERS’ PERSPECTIVES

Abstract

An increasing importance in today's education is placed on emphasising values. Values provide a reference in people’s life and serve as criteria, when making daily choices. However, values are often unconscious and rarely discussed among teachers. Hedonic values that are oriented towards individualism have become self-evident in the society, while classical values are being pushed in the background. The aim of this study is to identify teachers’ perspectives on values within an educational practice. A survey of teachers working in municipal schools and preschools in Latvia was conducted. An in-depth examination was reached by implementing interviews with educational experts. The values definied in the Republic of Latvia recent legislative documents were used in designing the content of a questionnaire. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics as well as qualitative content analysis. Implementation of values education is influenced by regulatory framework, its emphasising in educational practice and individual teacher’s personal judgement. The present-day situation in Latvia’s education reveals a discrepancy between the legislation requirements and the educational practice. Unfortunately some teachers lack confidence in the content of values defined in the Constitution (the Satversme) of the Republic of Latvia, namely – in the Latvian folk wisdom, universal human and Christian values. Thus it is important to set common values in upbringing in a family and in an educational institution. By defining and emphasising values at the institutional level, they become a subject of reflection and discussion among teachers and parents.