Living values education

As we move into the 21st century, the search for ways to improve the quality of education is global. One area of focus has been that of values, attitudes, and behavior and how to develop these aspects of character in a positive and productive way. How do we empower individuals to choose their own set of values? What kind of specialized training is necessary for educators to integrate values into existing programs? How can values-based education prepare students for lifelong learning in their communities?

Purpose and Aims of the Living Values Educational Program

The purpose of the Living Values Educational Program is to provide guiding principles and tools for the development of the whole person, recognizing that the individual is comprised of physical, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual dimensions.

Our Aims Are:

• To help individuals think about and reflect on different values and the practical implications of expressing them in relation to themselves, others, the community, and the world at large.

• To deepen understanding, motivation, and responsibility with regard to making personal and social choices.

• To inspire individuals to choose their own personal, social, moral, and spiritual values and be aware of practical methods for developing and deepening them.

• To encourage educators and caregivers to look at education as providing students with a philosophy of living, thereby facilitating their overall growth, development, and choices so that they may integrate themselves into the community with respect, confidence, and purpose.

In 2001, Living Values Education was introduced in Nigeria through the Permission / Approval of the Lagos State Ministry of Education. In July 2001, the first official training of educators was held in Lagos, Nigeria, organized by the Nigeria National Commission for UNESCO for 32 educators including

school principals, guidance counsellors, Senior Lecturers, Psychologists, representatives of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), the Institute of Certified Teachers of Nigeria, the Federal Ministry of Education, and the Counselling Association of Nigeria[CASSON]. Ten of these were further trained to become LVE trainers. Further Living Values Education training took place in November 2001 for The Lagos State Professional Guidance Counsellors in collaboration with The Counselling Association of Nigeria [CASSON], Lagos State Chapter, at the University of Lagos, Nigeria. This prompted further Living Values Education (LVE) Educator workshops which were held in various locations in Nigeria.

These workshops provide teachers, teacher-trainers, educational psychologists and other educators and individuals concerned with values and education a new understanding of their role as motivators and exemplars, and how their mindset, attitudes and vision are critical to the education process. It is our conviction that when teachers become exemplars and believe in spiritual goals wholeheartedly, change will be real and permanent and children will excel in their studies by making excellence a value as well. They will be able to emphasize competition within oneself, not competition with others.

For more information, please contact:Amos O Kodaolu-Peters

Director
Living Values Education Nigeria
234-80-23700943; 234-08-34800210

amoso_peters@yahoo.com