By Uzo Ugwunze
The role of teachers and other stakeholders in shaping the moral and ethical foundation of young learners was the focus of a one-day congress organised by the Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board, ASUBEB, Awka.
The event, held at the International Convention Centre, ICC, Awka, attracted government functionaries, educators, community and religious leaders, school administrators, the media and learners.
Addressing the participants, the wife of the State Governor, Dr. Nonye Soludo described the theme of the Congress, which is “Moral Regeneration and Value Reorientation at the Basic Education Level: The Role of Stakeholders” as very imperative at the moment.
Dr. Soludo noted that moral degeneration is a problem that affects everyone which has led to a loss of sense of values and morality, pointing out that these issues have become widespread because the society has derailed and the family, social and educational institutions have failed.
While calling on parents to sit up in their role as the first teachers of children, she noted that teachers find it difficult to manage children who were badly raised from their homes and appealed to all stakeholders to devise tangible strategies to retrieve our children from the basic education level where their formation begins.
Earlier in her welcome address, the ASUBEB Chairman, Dr. Vera Nkiru Nwadinobi observed that the State Governor, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR is committed to embedding value-based education in the basic education curricula, strengthening school leadership, empowering teachers, and promoting inclusive policies.
Dr. Nwadinobi stressed that basic education is where the foundation for moral, civic, and intellectual education is laid and called on the stakeholders, including government officials, school administrators, teachers, parents, community leaders, civil society actors, and religious institutions to collectively play their roles in restoring our shared values and morals codes.
The Chairman at the occasion, Dr. Clement Nwogbo represented by Prof. Frank-Collins Okafor from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka described the event as not only innovative but a paradigm shift from what it used to be towards a more proactive actions for the good of our young ones and the society at large.
Dr. Nwogbo opined that the theme points to two of the most urgent actions needed at the basic education level because knowledge and values gained from the basic foundation of the child helps him through adulthood.
Presenting his paper on the theme of the Congress, Prof. Emeka Ezeonu of the Department of Applied Biochemistry, UNIZIK, Awka described moral degeneration as the decline of ethical values and principles in individuals or society which can lead to erosion of social trust, harms institutions and negatively impacts cultural and societal stability.
Prof. Ezeonu outlined the causes of moral degeneration as political and institutional corruption, peer pressure and negative social norms, technological and social media impacts, loss of community and social bonds among others adding that moral regeneration and value reorientation are crucial for societal well-being because they promote a more just and equitable society.
“At the basic education level, children are at a formative stage where their beliefs, attitudes and behaviours are shaped. Without proper guidance, they may adopt negative values from their environment. Schools, as key socialization agents, must take the lead in instilling these values”, he concluded.
In their respective contributions on the theme of the Congress, the discussants: Prof. Chukwuemeka Jaja Nwanegbo of the Department of Political Science, UNIZIK, Awka; the Chairman, Post Primary Schools Service Commission, PPSSC, Awka, Prof. Nkechi Ikediugwu; the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Hon. Ify Obinabo; and the former Provost, Nwafor Orizu College of Education, Nsugbe, Dr. Ego Uzoezie were unanimous in calling for concerted actions by the stakeholders to rise up to the urgent challenge of moral regeneration and value reorientation of our children from the basic education level.
On his part, the traditional ruler of Umueri, Igwe Ben Emeka warned parents to desist from fighting teachers for disciplining their children as such contributes to moral decay in the society.
Highpoints of the event were presentation of laptops donated by Fidelity Bank and Zenith Bank to schools, while the management of Obi Jackson Group also promised to donate 50 laptops to the State basic schools to support what the State government is doing in the State. Welcome song, cultural dance and drama presentation by students added colour to the event.