Moral degeneration is a universal phenomenon which negatively affects many societies, also the South African society. The South African society, with specific reference to family life and school life is experiencing a serious moral breakdown. The media is constantly reporting this breakdown, which is evident in social ills such as a general lack of discipline and self-discipline, violence, poverty, unemployment, a high crime rate, promiscuity, school vandalism and corruption. The literature study indicates that these moral ills have negative implications for society and for education, and that they are mainly the result of a lack of a positive value system in society as a whole. This study aims at determining the role of “values education” in addressing the problem of moral degeneration. The conceptual framework upon which the study is based is known as social reconstructivism. It is a philosophical theory which proposes that society should be transformed by addressing the social problems which it experiences. An ethnographic research design and grounded theory were employed. Questionnaires were distributed to 200 learners from four public schools in order to determine their value systems. Trends that were found after the analysis of the questionnaires were further explored by means of in-depth interviews with some of these learners. The main data collecting instrument was the semi-structured interview (individual and focus group interviews). The participants were parents, principals, teachers, community leaders and learners, who are all important stakeholders in education. Data were collected in the Eastern Cape Province over a period of five months. The empirical research findings were compared to literature findings. Both these findings revealed that, to an alarming extent, the moral code in South African society is on the decline. Currently education in the home, school and community does not convey a positive value system to learners - thus perpetuating the problem of a society in decline. In the light of the findings, guidelines have been developed in order to improve school practices and to suggest possible solutions to the social problems that endanger the future prosperity of the South African society. / Education / D. Ed. (Socio-Education)

Moral degeneration is a universal phenomenon which negatively affects many societies, also the South African society. The South African society, with specific reference to family life and school life is experiencing a serious moral breakdown. The media is constantly reporting this breakdown, which is evident in social ills such as a general lack of discipline and self-discipline, violence, poverty, unemployment, a high crime rate, promiscuity, school vandalism and corruption. The literature study indicates that these moral ills have negative implications for society and for education, and that they are mainly the result of a lack of a positive value system in society as a whole. This study aims at determining the role of “values education” in addressing the problem of moral degeneration. The conceptual framework upon which the study is based is known as social reconstructivism. It is a philosophical theory which proposes that society should be transformed by addressing the social problems which it experiences. An ethnographic research design and grounded theory were employed. Questionnaires were distributed to 200 learners from four public schools in order to determine their value systems. Trends that were found after the analysis of the questionnaires were further explored by means of in-depth interviews with some of these learners. The main data collecting instrument was the semi-structured interview (individual and focus group interviews). The participants were parents, principals, teachers, community leaders and learners, who are all important stakeholders in education. Data were collected in the Eastern Cape Province over a period of five months. The empirical research findings were compared to literature findings. Both these findings revealed that, to an alarming extent, the moral code in South African society is on the decline. Currently education in the home, school and community does not convey a positive value system to learners - thus perpetuating the problem of a society in decline. In the light of the findings, guidelines have been developed in order to improve school practices and to suggest possible solutions to the social problems that endanger the future prosperity of the South African society. / Education / D. Ed. (Socio-Education)

This paper examines the ethical aspects of teaching geography in high school. Attention is focused on valuation, which is an integral part of both teaching geography and ethics. The thesis explains the concepts of character and conscience and presents the theory of moral development of pupils according to Lawrence Kohlberg and developmental psychology. It also provides amethodology for dealing with values in geography teaching according to Lambert and Balderstone. It is divided into five main access routes. First, values inculcation, secondly, values analysis, third, moral reasoning, fourth, values clarification, and fifth, action learning. In the third chapter this thesis presents an analysis of the values contained in the School Act, the White Book, and above all in the RVP G, which is the values that are binding for secondary school education. In the chapter four, a questionnaire examines geographic topics that teachers consider ethically sensitive. The highest ethical sensitivity was found in the racial issue, migration, religion, the political order in the world, and the cutting down of tropical rainforests. Differences in the assessment of ethical sensitivity between men and women, and between teachers and students have been identified. The fifth chapter designs four geography lessons. Their...

This doctoral thesis is the result of the experience, continuous practice and day to day work as head of infant and youth choirs that the candidate has developed for over more than thirty years. The motivation, the concerns and the questions formulated with regards to choral singing, have underpinned this research. The thesis has focused on the learning of values, habits and competences in order to demonstrate that singing in an infant or youth choir is educational and goes far beyond the mere act of singing in a choir. We can therefore state that education is continuous, it never comes to an end and, furthermore, it unfolds in divergent ways. In summary to show that singing in an infant or youth choir is educational in the widest possible sense. / La tesi doctoral que presentem és fruit de l’experiència, de la pràctica continuada i de la tasca del dia a dia al capdavant de cors infantils i juvenils, per part de l’autora, al llarg de més de trenta anys. La motivació, la preocupació i els interrogants formulats entorn al cant coral han estat el mòbil de la present investigació. Hem centrat el tema en l’educació en valors, hàbits i competències per arribar a demostrar que cantar en una coral infantil o juvenil és un fet educatiu en aquests aspectes i que va molt més enllà de l’acte de cantar en una coral, ja que podem afirmar que l’educació és continuada, no s’acaba mai i, a més, es realitza en espiral. En definitiva, vol demostrar que cantar en una coral infantil o juvenil és un fet educatiu en el sentit més ampli.

The diploma thesis deals with the elucidation of the importance of ethics in social work. It focuses on important theoretical knowledge in the field of ethics and ethical concepts and its aim is to point out the possibilities of using ethical values, theories or virtues in professional practice. The work is focused on the presentation of important ethical concepts and ethical values, the contemporary form of social work, the personality of the social worker, the level and importance of education, and various examples of possible ethical problems or ethical dilemmas that can occur in the practice of social work. This thesis is based on the assumption that current social work is in a crisis and its setting requires change.

This study set out to explore and describe adolescent learners’ experiences of HIV/AIDS programmes presented at their schools. The rationale was that an understanding of how learners experience HIV/AIDS programmes might afford insight into the ways in which adolescents manage HIV/AIDS-related issues every day. Subsequent understanding could perhaps contribute to the body of knowledge on HIV/AIDS education, and possibly inform future HIV/AIDS education curriculum development. The conceptual framework constituted the impact of HIV/AIDS on society, education and adolescents; theories on experiences and adolescent development; relevant Department of Education policies and curriculum plans; as well as national and international research concerning HIV/AIDS education programmes. A qualitative research approach was followed from an interpretivist epistemology, with sensitivity given to criteria of credibility, transferability and dependability. An instrumental case study was conducted at three secondary schools (cases), using focus groups and written essays as the methods for data collection from 90 diverse participants, Grade 11 learners. Responses were audio-taped, transcribed and analysed from a constructivist grounded theory perspective. Results were interpreted by means of literature control. Six prominent themes emerged. Learners experienced that they were changed positively by knowledge on HIV/AIDS. In this regard they were more open and motivated to communicate, their views and perceptions altered and they were motivated to behave responsibly. However, learners also experienced HIV/AIDS knowledge negatively. They felt bombarded with HIV/AIDS information and they experienced some HIV/AIDS information as upsetting. Learners’ experiences still reflected some stereotyping and persisting misconceptions. Learners associated poverty and lack of education with higher HIV infection rates, as well as a lack of support from parents and/or family. Learners’ experiences reflected that they would appreciate their parents’ participation in HIV/AIDS programmes. Learners voiced a need for improved communication with their parents regarding HIV/AIDS, and experienced their parents as ignorant, shy, stubborn or scared in this regard. Learners’ accounts reflected that parents’ initial negativity towards the programme later changed into positive support. The learners also had positive and negative experiences regarding their friends and the HIV/AIDS programmes. They expressed that their peer-relationships improved in terms of ability to communicate and render support. In addition they expressed that their friends still had a great influence in their lives. Some issues, such as risk behaviour and the HIV-status of their peers, shocked learners. The learners indicated that they thought HIV/AIDS education was necessary, but recommended certain amendments for future HIV/AIDS programmes. Their experiences suggested smaller gender-specific groups; an outsider-presenter; parent/caregiver involvement; variety in programme format; long-term HIV/AIDS education; HIV/AIDS care, support and treatment information in addition to that of prevention; addressing values and life skills content in HIV/AIDS education; as well as fear-provoking real-life contexts. Several recommendations were made in terms of HIV/AIDS education and programme development. Integration between HIV/AIDS education, life skills education and values education in the formal curriculum is supported by findings and recommended for curriculum development and educational practice. Correspondingly, it is recommended that multiple views on poverty be incorporated into HIV/AIDS education to address persisting stereotypes and misconceptions. Furthermore, cognisance of learners’ suggestions in terms of format and content regarding future HIV/AIDS programme development is recommended. Findings queried existing premises regarding adolescents and (ir-)responsibility in developmental theory, establishing a foundation for further research. Existing silences in the data relating to gender, orphans, violence, non-governmental organisations, condom-use in the context of HIV/AIDS also requires further research. Establishing that the use of open-ended methods with adolescents resulted in access to rich and descriptive data signified a methodological contribution. Theoretically this study contributes to the existing body of knowledge related to HIV/AIDS education by giving voice to adolescent learners’ experiences of HIV/AIDS programmes. Contributions in the realm of HIV/AIDS educational practice and curriculum development include learners’ views of what they found beneficial and lacking in existing programmes, as well as their recommendations regarding format and content for future HIV/AIDS programmes directed at adolescents. / Thesis (PhD (Educational Psychology))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Educational Psychology / unrestricted

Denna studie syftar till att undersöka den didaktiska potentialen för värdegrundsarbete i Stora Boken om Sandvargen (2006) skriven av Åsa Lind. Syftet är även att, med elever i årskurs 1, undersöka hur förståelse för skolans värdegrund kan skapas med hjälp av boksamtal kring Stora Boken om Sandvargen. För att undersöka detta analyseras verket utifrån fenomenologisk och socialkonstruktivistisk teori. Analysen görs även i förhållande till två utvalda delar ur Läroplan för grundskolan, förskoleklassen och fritidshemmet 2011 (2019) (”Skolans värdegrund och uppdrag”). Resultatet av analysen konstaterar att Stora Boken om Sandvargen har stor didaktisk potential för arbete med skolans värdegrund. Verket används sedan i boksamtal utformade efter Aidan Chambers modell, för att undersöka om och i så fall hur eleverna visar förståelse för skolans värdegrund. Boksamtalen analyseras i förhållande till de två utvalda delarna ur styrdokumenten och slutsatsen blir att eleverna på ett flertal sätt visar förståelse för skolans värdegrund. Resultatet visar hur eleverna skiftar perspektiv mellan sitt eget, karaktärer i berättelsen samt andra människor i elevernas liv och att kunna skifta och bredda sina perspektiv anses i studien vara grundläggande för skolans värdegrundsarbete.

Studien syftar till att undersöka vad verksamma svensklärare i årskurserna 4– 6 har för uppfattningar om hur värdegrunden kan integreras i arbetet med skönlitteratur och vilken betydelse det kan ha för elever. Det empiriska materialet består av sex kvalitativa intervjuer som har analyserats för att få en djupgående inblick i hur lärarna ser på integrationen av undervisningsuppdragen. De teoretiska utgångspunkterna studien har utgått ifrån framhäver båda skönlitteraturens unika möjligheter. Judith Langer betonar i sin teori de föreställningsvärldar en läsare bygger upp för sitt inre vid läsning av skönlitteratur medan Martha Nussbaum belyser den narrativa fantasins möjligheter att föreställa sig hur andra människor känner och uppfattar sin värld. Resultaten i vår studie visar att lärarna är överens om att skönlitteratur och värdegrundsarbete med fördel bör integreras och där främst möjligheterna blir framträdande. Resultaten visar även att lärarna är överens om att läsning av skönlitteratur kan ha effekt på elevers utvecklande av ett empatiskt och medmänskligt förhållningssätt. Vi kan med vår studie därmed dra slutsatsen att skönlitteratur och värdegrundsarbete kan bidra till att elever utvecklar betydelsefulla förmågor och att de båda uppdragen med fördel bör integreras.

Den svenska skolans fostransuppdrag, det vill säga att överföra värden som samhället anser vara viktiga till eleverna, är enligt de nu gällande styrdokumenten en viktig del av undervisningen. I läroböcker i religionskunskap skrivna för gymnasiet har dock detta uppdrag hamnat i skymundan. I denna uppsats undersöks tre läroböcker i religionskunskap skrivna för gymnasieelever för att identifiera eventuella brister inom värdegrundsarbetet i läroböcker. Enligt iakttagelserna i denna undersökning är det största problemet att värdepedagogiken ständigt kommer i andra hand och att fokus ständig vilar på förmedlandet av kunskap. En konsekvens av detta är att värdepedagogiken tycks ha inkluderats i läroböckerna som en eftertanke. Det verkar som om merparten av stoffet i läroböckerna primärt har valts utifrån dess potentiella bidrag till kunskapsuppdraget, även om det ibland innebär att det undergrävt fostransuppdraget. Slutsatsen i denna uppsats är att värdepedagogiken måste vara en aktiv och medveten del i skapandet av textbaserade läromedel för att läroböcker på allvar ska bidra till fostransuppdragets förverkligande. / Civic education is an important part of the education of teens in Sweden. When reading high school textbooks of religious studies it is noticible that the use of civic education is lacking. This thesis examined three high school textbooks of religious studies in order to identify the shortcomings of civic education in textbooks. The major issue regarding civic education, according to the findings of this thesis, is the fact that traditional education, i.e. the transfer of knowledge, is the main purpose of these textbooks. As a result civic education is often included in textbooks as somewhat of an afterthought. The majority of the material included in textbooks seem to be primarily selected on the basis of what it contributes towards thegoals of traditional education, even if that material sometimes undermines the goals of civic education. The conclusion of this thesis is that civic education must become something that authors reflect upon as a conscious part of writing textbooks if the civic educational goals of the swedish educational system are to be achieved.

This dissertation presents research that is broadly concerned with comparative understanding of the concept of citizenship and its relationship to nationhood, most particularly as it relates to contemporary government policies - what Michel Foucault refers to as 'studies of governmentality' - in Britain and Hong Kong. A major consideration is the assessment of how modern states seek to imbue citizenship with new meanings by mobilising connections to reimagined 'national cultures' and 'national values' as a way of expanding power and limiting access to citizenship. Two cases are selected and examined in this research to elucidate the above concern and consideration. The first is Hong Kong, where a compulsory subject Moral and National Education was proposed in 2012 to cultivate students' positive values and enhance their 'national qualities'. The second is Britain, where all schools and universities since 2015 must by law carry out the Prevent Duty to assess the risk of students becoming terrorists and beginning in 2014 where all schools must actively promote 'fundamental British values'. In both contexts, the education policies and their associated discourses claimed to protect 'our culture', defend 'our values', and promote understanding of 'our nation' Curriculum documents, policy documents, and parliamentary reports related to these education policies are collected and critically analysed in a genealogical approach to reveal (a) the expressions of 'national values' and citizenship in these policy and associated political texts, (b) how these texts and associated discourses influenced the re-imagination of nations, and (c) how the national perspectives expressed ideologically - especially in relation to the narrowing of borders through policies - recast, mediate or alter conceptions of citizenship. The comparative policy landscape in Britain and Hong Kong is assessed by deploying an interdisciplinary framework that addresses nation, citizenship, borders, and governmentality in a unique way. The study of the cases, in return, demonstrates how this framework can be applied to analysing education policies and assessing the rationalities and effects of these policies.