The values of the draft curriculum

I've just read the section on values in the new draft curriculum put out by the MOE. What struck me was that it didn't really talk about values at all. Instead it talked out things we should value. These are not the same things.

For example, it suggests we should value "diversity" and teach that to the students. Diversity is not a value. It is simply a state of being. For example a class room may or may not be ethnically diverse, in that it may have few or many ethnicities represented. I'm assuming that the MOE is not saying that we should value oneclass above another according to the numbers of ethnicities represented!

The problem with the modern obsession about values education is that it avoids all talk of virtues. It also assumes that values are to be taught rather than modeled.

When I think of virtues I think of honest, integrity, generosity, humility. Unfortunately, not all these virtues fit into the philosophies dominant in education.

Chaplain in Class

I got to attend a couple of classes recently. It was a great experience!

It reminded me of what a privilege it is to teach children. To open their eyes to the wonder of the world about them is a fantastic thing to do. I think if by the end of their schooling a pupil still has a sense of wonder and a well developed curiosity then the teachers have done a great job!