THE NEED FOR CHARACTER EDUCATION

Year 2011, Volume: 3 Issue: 2, 23 - 32, 01.12.2011

Aynur Pala

Abstract

Character education is a national movement creating schools that foster ethical,
responsible and caring young people by modelling and teaching good character
through emphasis on universal values that we all share. It is the intentional,
proactive effort by schools, districts and states to instil in their students important
core ethical values such as caring, honesty, fairness, responsibility and respect for
self and others.
Good character is not formed automatically; it is developed over time through a
sustained process of teaching, example, learning and practice. It is developed
through character education. The intentional teaching of good character is
particularly important in today’s society since our youth face many opportunities
and dangers unknown to earlier generations. They are bombarded with many more
negative influences through the media and other external sources prevalent in
today’s culture. Since children spend about 900 hours a year in school, it is
essential that schools resume a proactive role in assisting families and
communities by developing caring, respectful environments where students learn
core, ethical values. When a comprehensive approach to character education is
used, a positive moral culture is created in the school—a total school environment
that supports the values taught in the classroom (Character Education Partnership,
2010).
The aim of this study is to provide guidelines for the elements need for effective
and comprehensive character education. And to emphasize the need of character
education to help students develop good character, which includes knowing,
caring about and acting upon core ethical values such as respect, responsibility,
honesty, fairness and compassion.

Keywords

Character education, good character, ethical values

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