Stakeholders canvass moral, value reorientation among youths

Stakeholders in the education sector have emphasised the need for moral reorientation among youths, in order to shape the future and strengthen ethical standards.

Speaking at the 14th yearly conference of Association of Private Educators in Nigeria (APEN) themed: ‘Ethical intelligence: Redefining educational values,’ participants stressed the need to uphold values like integrity, respect, empathy, and accountability in the society.

In his keynote address, Prof. Lere Baale of Netherlands Business School, who spoke on ‘Bring back the values: Building a generation of moral innovators,’ said innovation must go hand-in-hand with a firm foundation of moral values.

He noted that education has always been a transformative force, shaping minds and creating pathways to knowledge, innovation, and personal growth.

He, however, lamented that as society became more technology-driven and fast-paced, values essential to character and ethical decision-making are becoming overshadowed.

“The need to build a generation of moral innovators in education is more crucial than ever. These innovators are more than just skilled or knowledgeable individuals; ethical principles, empathy, and responsibility guide them. Their work is anchored in values, contributing positively to society and addressing current challenges with both insight and integrity.”

Executive Director, CMC Connect, Mr Yomi Badejo-Okusanya, noted that educational innovations had significant implications for data privacy, equity, and accessibility.

According to him, evaluating educational innovations through ethical lens, can create a brighter future for youths and the society at large.

“Let us strive to be ethical stewards of education, using data and technology to improve teaching and learning, while upholding the highest standards of integrity. As a matter of fact, emerging trends such as the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to personalise learning experiences must adhere strictly to ethical considerations.

Similarly, Executive Director, Greensprings School, Lekki, Mrs Lai Koiki said although time and technological advancements are crucial, values are more important and would shape the future.

“Educators must put guiding rules in place; kindness is key, and basic principles like not taking things that don’t belong to you are fundamental. If you take something without permission, you’ve stolen it. This may seem trivial, but if we don’t correct these small actions, it sets a dangerous precedent for larger ethical issues down the road,” Koiki stated.

She pointed out that consequences for unethical behaviour were essential for cultivating discipline, and enjoined schools to align their values.

Koiki also stressed the importance of partnership between home and school in nurturing ethical values.

While home is the first place where ethical values are taught, Koiki said schools must also play their part by ensuring that there is a code of conduct agreed upon by both parents and teachers. This, she noted, is imperative for instilling good behaviour in children.

Executive Director, Learning Innovation Academy, Mrs Bolanle Adewole, shed light on the significant role schools play in shaping ethical disciplines among children.
Adewole disclosed that the goal of the APEN conference was toequip teachers with needed tools to reflect on their own values and instil these qualities in their students