Suggested source materials in the teaching of character education in the secondary school

Abstract

The teaching of "Character Education and Good Manners and Right Conduct" is one of the latest emphases in the curricula of the elementary and high school levels of the Philippine educational system. Interest in educational outcomes in terms of personality and conduct, and devotion in various ways to the task of securing improvement in means and methods to this end are being more carefully considered by the public and private schools than in the past.

Character is considered in terms of social values. Character is always revealed and has significance only in the conduct of individuals, and is fundamental to any conceivable kind of social order. It functions in fitting into and bringing about changes in environment. The dynamic of character determines desirable changed in environment and in the initiation of and the bringing about of these changes. With this emphasis in instruction it is believed that improved conduct among our people can be achieved through the educational method. Also, in the process of learning, the formation, development, and functioning of right motives can be attained. Since attitudes are the important source of motives, these can also be shaped in the proper manner through the educational process.

Although this is the new emphasis in the educational program of the country, organized materials for instruction purposes are almost unavailable. This research project may serve as a contribution to the attainment of the objectives in character education.

Statement of the problem

The Department of Education issued Memorandum No. 16, series 1958, dated December 22, 1958, entitled "Objectives of the Course of Study in Character Education and Good Manners and Right Conduct.” The Bureau of Public Schools and the Bureau of Private Schools were instructed to take immediate steps for the proper implementation of the teaching of "Character Education and Good Manners and Right Conduct" based on these objectives. This memorandum was issued to the field by the two bureaus as Bulletin No. 10, series 1959, dated May 26, 1959: "Objectives of the Course of Study in Character Education and Good Manners and Right Conduct,” directed to the superintendents and signed by Benigno Aldana, Director of the Bureau of Public Schools. The other was Memorandum No. 12, series 1959, dated June 11, 1959: "Scope and Sequence of Character Education and Good Manners and Right Conduct in the Elementary and Secondary Schools,” directed to the heads of Private Schools, Colleges and Universities and signed by Daniel Salcedo, Undersecretary and concurrently Director of Private Schools.

This move of the Department of Education was prompted by one of the basic problems confronting this country, the problem of morality. Disrespect and disobedience towards constituted authority and flagrant violation of rules and regulations are very common among young people. This is true even in these educational institutions, both private and public. There are dishonesty and anomalies prevailing in the government offices and institutions. Immorality in many forms is rampant everywhere in social life. Howard O'Brien, in a newspaper column, has given a fitting description of a situation parallel to this land: "... everything, these days, is minus some essential part. Life is like the unfinished houses you see everywhere waiting for some missing nails or wire or pipe. There is unceasing babble, these days, about politics and economics. Our foreign policy is concerned with other people's boundaries. At home, existence is sick-lied over with the pale cast of labor unrest. Wherever you look, there is something missing. I think it is moral. We strive to get as much as possible for doing as little as possible; and we strive to gouge out of the buyer the most for the least. Simple honesty is rare enough for amazed comment. The thief has become respectable. The shadow of corruption hangs over the land. And poor witless clowns think they can do something about it by making agreements and passing laws. But the soul of man is sick. It will take more than this to cure him."

To redeem the society from such social degradation, is the urgent reason for reviving the teaching of good manners and right conduct and character education to the youth of the land. However, the teaching of this subject is handicapped by the lack of specific and classified materials to be used in the instruction. In the interviews of the writer with school heads, principals, teachers, business leaders, lawyers, judges, social workers, parents, and so forth, information was gathered to support this allegation. It is an accepted presumption that in scientific investigation facts are necessary to the drawing of a reliable conclusion. These facts also must be classified and organized. This observation has also been heeded in the procedure of this investigation. Facts and information and other materials on the teaching of Character Education and Good Manners and Right Conduct must be gathered. They must be classified and organized in order to prepare them for more effective use. This work is an attempt to make a contribution to meet this need. It is hoped that this collection will enrich the materials in character education and help facilitate the teaching and the learning processes.