Values Education

1148 Words3 Pages

Australia as a nation is underpinned by the belief of a democratic society that requires the acquisition of essential knowledge, skills and values in order to enable all citizens to proactively play a part in the shaping their preferred future of a more equitable and socially just world (Bliss, 2005). To that end, Values and Values-based Education are considered to be an integral aspect of the Educational landscape as there is a recognition that values are not only a crucial part of a critical understanding of society, but also the key to successful participation in our democracy (Allison & Von Wald, 2010). For this reason the incorporation of values in schools is becoming increasingly important, as the active construction and clarification of values associated with contemporary legal issues in schools provides for the inclusion of the Australian Government’s key policy document, National Framework for Values Education in Australian Schools (Australian Government Department of Education, Science and Training, 2005).

Today’s students are fast becoming members of an increasingly independent pluralistic community that supports a strong commitment to Values education, incorporating values exploration and clarification into student’s learning experiences in the classroom (Lovat, Dally, Clement & Toomey, 2011). Moreover, values are not only considered to be the key to modern education policy but the current Queensland Senior Legal Studies Syllabus 2007, which is aimed at assisting individual students to develop the knowledge, attitudes, values and beliefs that will enhance their ability to participate actively as critical members of society; a key aim of Values Education in schools (Australian Government Department of Education, Sc...

... middle of paper ...

... Early Childhood Development and Youth Affairs (MCEECDYA). (2008). Melbourne Declaration on Educational Goals for Young Australians. Retrieved from Ministerial Council for Education, Early Childhood Development and Youth Affairs website http://www.mceecdya.edu.au/verve/_resources/National_Declaration_on_the_Educational_Goals_for_Young_Australians.pdf

Queensland Studies Authority. (2007). Legal Studies Senior Syllabus 2007. Retrieved from Queensland Government: Queensland Studies Authority website http://www.qsa.qld.edu.au/downloads/senior/snr_legal_studies_07_syll.pdf

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (1998). Learning To Live Together In Peace and Harmony: Values Education for Peace, Human Rights, Democracy and Sustainable Development for the Asia-Pacific Region. Bangkok, TH: UNESCO Principal Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific.

Open Document