Advice for policy makers, based on our findings
- Policy makers should embed understanding of the values circle into teacher training so that teachers will know that they can facilitate value development by encouraging the behaviours that express them. Understanding the values circle would also prevent encouraging unintended values, such as encouraging power values by encouraging doing everything to win competitions.
- Policymakers should focus on embedding values like kindness (benevolence); fairness (universalism); curiosity, independence and creativity (self-direction) into the curriculum. These values help children develop socially and intellectually.
- Policies should also allow schools the flexibility to adapt values-education to reflect the cultural and social realities of their communities.
- In times of societal upheaval, such as during a pandemic, policies should provide guidance on balancing immediate needs for stability with long-term goals like creativity and fairness.
- Providing professional development opportunities and resources for values education can help schools and teachers better implement these goals.