Moral values are caught, not taught

I REFER to the letter, “Do more to inculcate moral values” (The Star, Feb 27).

Actually, a lot of moral values have been and are still being taught in schools. What more do we need to inculcate moral values in children?

A few months ago, many teachers and students shared their comments (mostly negative) via the media on the teaching and learning of moral education in school. The general feeling was that students can only learn moral values or good behaviours from teachers, parents and members of society who practise them.

Simply put, moral values are not taught but caught. Students catch such moral values by seeing everyone practising them rather than from the lessons in the classrooms.

For example, if the student is told or taught not to smoke by their teachers or parents who are smokers, chances are the lesson will be futile.

On the other hand, if the student sees them consistently living out what they “preach”, he or she might “catch” that moral value. It is the modelling of moral values that can be caught by the students.

Even adults learn from practice. If a leader indulges in corruption, his underlings too will probably be corrupt.

Incidentally, we should follow up with the “Stand Together National Kindness Week” campaign and make it a weekly or monthly project in schools so that students across the country will be reminded to make kindness and respect their way of life in and out of school.

I would like to share an exemplary act of kindness that I saw recently near the Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Stadium. A mother was teaching her daughter to pick up rubbish as they walked around the stadium several times. They truly demonstrated that role modelling is the most effective way to help children internalise values. Adults are often not aware of the impact of such actions.

For instance, if a principal or teacher preaches and practises respect and kindness to the students, surely the latter will do likewise with other people.

Therefore, inculcating moral values is only effective and meaningful when we put words into action. We need to practice what we preach to our children. This involves all members of society working hand in hand to mould our children to be good and useful citizens.