Values Education: An Educational Approach to Train Students in the 1st Cycle of Portuguese Basic Education for Citizenship

Abstract

Education in values develops in the family, in schools and in society in general, through human coexistence and interpersonal relationships. The cementing of this education is necessary today to overcome many problems, conflicts and inhumane situations. Values are statements and/or principles that each human being internalizes and converts into valued actions and everyday experiences (Ballester & Calvo, 2007, p. 34-39). The transmission of a set of essential values to the current society characterizes the mutual relationship between adult-child/youth in training, covering up, disguising and reinforcing existing egocentrism (Andrade, 1997). The problem of education for values constitutes a transversal theme across the curricular areas of the 1st Cycle of Basic Education (1st CEB). According to Zabalza (2000, p. 21): “the theme of values was and will be a key theme in any process of action and reflection on people and their actions”. Educating for values in students' compulsory education is contributing to their formation as people and citizens (Ortega & Mínguez, 2003). The purposes of this education are to encourage students to develop daily the application of values in coexistence and the construction of peace, solidarity and tolerance. It is also important for 1st CEB teachers to develop teaching strategies to promote values in students, in any learning context; for the formation of future citizens in a democratic society.