Reintegrating values formation in the K-12 program

JULIE C. GOMEZ

Academic stakeholders are now pushing for the reintegration, or call it reincorporating, values formation in the current K to 12 Curriculum, particularly in the primary levels.

The call for reintroducing values formation into the program is rooted in the realization that values form the very foundation of a student, which eventually molds his character into adulthood.

Another reason is that values have a major influence on a person’s attitude and behavior, and serve as guidelines for making decisions in various situations, as they are important beliefs or ideals that a person or group has on what is good or bad, desirable or undesirable.

As values are usually shared by members of a family, an organization, or a culture, it has been noted by academicians and formators that the foundation of a child is anchored upon values formed through:

1. Upbringing – Our parents, guardians, babysitters, household help, and family members influence us to a very great extent. From what we see, hear, feel, experience, and are taught, our values are formed.

2. People – Our classmates, peers, teachers, officemates, superiors, subordinates, close friends, organization members, and people close to home, mentioned above, do greatly change earlier values, for better or for worse.

3. Environment – the media, social media, internet, church, company we work in, community and culture of the people we mingle with add to, and do change our values.

School is a good working environment for exposure to core values such as excellence, vibrancy, equity, responsiveness, leadership, accountability, service, teamwork, ingenuity, nobility, and greatness, among others.

Thus, making values formation an integral part of the curriculum is as important as any other subject like Math, Science and English as values make a person.

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The author is Teacher I at Del Rosario Integrated School