THE SIGNIFICANCE OF VALUES EDUCATION IN EDUCATING THE YOUTH

MARY JANE P. MALLARI

Values Education or Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao is such a significant learning area that must be given focus in educating the Filipino Youth. As the famous cliché goes, “Educating the mind without educating the heart is dangerous”, as most often than not, it develops monstrous characters in people who would use their acquired knowledge in satisfying their vested interest and selfish motives, rather than putting the welfare of others. This is the primary reason why equally important to cognitive development, is values formation among learners.

Hence, schools must provide various learning opportunities that could develop and eventually enhance sets of values among their students. They should also craft programs for the enhancement of the teachers skills in delivering integrative approach to teaching. The educators of values on the other hand, must employ various strategies and techniques so as to effectively instill values in all learners for these will help develop their character and even define their personalities. But the role of Values Education teachers doesn’t just end within the four walls of the classroom. Telling the class that they have to have honesty, industry, respect and all that, is a weak instruction. Teachers have to model the values they explain in their classes. They should practice what they preach. “Walking the talk is the statement”, every Values Education teacher must take note of. Instead of just explaining to the learners that such values are good to have, it would be better that these learners are able to observe them through their teachers’behaviors. After all values are better acquired when caught, rather than when just taught by someone. Incorporating values concepts in lessons is not just the sole responsibility of Values Education and ESP teachers, but by all mentors. that every teacher, This implies that every teacher, has to exemplify the different values, most especially, the DepEd core values of being MAKADIYOS, MAKATAO, MAKAKALIKASAN at MAKABANSA, which encompass all other positive traits/behaviors.

In today’s challenging and fast-phased world, teaching values to the youth has never been more challenging and significant than ever, as children are exposed to various situations in the environment with which could easily acquire because of the nature of being extremely impressionable, which makes them vulnerable. Adults, including parents and teachers who are considered to have the greatest influence in their children, must work together towards the formation of right values to the youth. Values, such as integrity, industry, respect for others, honesty, Godliness, creativity and the likes, are essential to be imbibed in every Filipino learner so that as they acquire education, they would be able to better serve their community and the country in general through the use of their acquired competencies and skills, anchored on their values. With this discussion, the school, in partnership with the home and the community at large, must work together, serve as exemplar of values for the students to emulate. One of the best venue to accomplish this, is in school, through classroom instruction, where teachers, parents and other stakeholders demonstrate values that learners are able observe, process and demonstrate. In conclusion, no one will ever contest the importance of Values Education in educating the Filipino youth holistically because, it truly essential in forming their character.

— oOo—

I at Pampanga High School

The author is Master Teacher