Ethical values key to building strong educational foundations, says APEN

Speakers at the 14th edition of the annual conference of the Association of Private Educators in Nigeria said moral values are essential for shaping the future and establishing ethical standards in education.

The conference titled, ‘Ethical intelligence: redefining educational values,’ emphasised upholding values like integrity, respect, empathy, and accountability, ethical standards in the education sector and society.

The keynote speaker of the first day of the conference, Prof Lere Baale of Business School Netherlands, who spoke on ‘Bring Back The Values: Building A Generation Of Moral Innovators,’ stressed that innovation must go hand-in-hand with a firm foundation of moral values.

He said, “Bring back the values” is a call to foster creative thinkers, problem-solvers, and individuals guided by integrity, empathy, and responsibility principles. A generation of moral innovators combines creativity with ethical purpose, ensuring that advancements contribute positively to society.
“Education has always been a transformative force, shaping minds and creating pathways to knowledge, innovation, and personal growth. However, as society becomes more technology-driven and fast-paced, many worry that values essential to character and ethical decision-making are becoming overshadowed. The need to build a generation of moral innovators in education is more crucial than ever. These innovators are more than just skilled or knowledgeable individuals; ethical principles, empathy, and responsibility guide them. Their work is anchored in values, contributing positively to society and addressing current challenges with both insight and integrity.”

Executive Director, CMC Connect, Mr Yomi Badejo-Okusanya, explained that educational innovations had significant implications for data privacy, equity, and accessibility.

He added that ethical evaluation helped to ensure that innovations did not widen inequality gaps or undermine students’ rights.
Badejo-Okusanya advised, “Let us strive to be ethical stewards of education, using data and technology to improve teaching and learning while upholding the highest standards of integrity. As a matter of fact, emerging trends such as the use of AI to personalise learning experiences must adhere strictly to ethical considerations mentioned above. By evaluating educational innovations through an ethical lens, we can create a brighter future for our students and our society.”

Also speaking, Executive Director, Greensprings School, Lekki, Mrs Lai Koiki, stressed that while time and technological advancements were crucial, values remained constant and would shape the future.

According to the educator, values such as kindness, respect for others’ property, and honesty should form the foundation of any educational institution.

“Educators must have guiding rules in place. Kindness is key, and basic principles like not taking things that don’t belong to you are fundamental. If you take something without permission, you’ve stolen it. This may seem trivial, but if we don’t correct these small actions, it sets a dangerous precedent for larger ethical issues down the road.”

She pointed out that consequences for unethical behaviour were essential for cultivating discipline, saying that schools and society should align their values.

Koiki said, “There has to be consequences. In our school, for instance, children might miss out on playtime if they misbehave, which reinforces that actions have repercussions.

 “Punishment doesn’t mean physical harm, but rather a constructive consequence that helps children learn right from wrong.
“The values upheld in schools should reflect the core values of society.

“We need to teach students about kindness, respect, and personal space. These are essential life skills, especially in an age where online behavior can be just as impactful as face-to-face interactions.”

In response to the role of parents, Koiki reiterated the importance of partnership between home and school in nurturing ethical values.

She said, “The home is the first place where ethical values are taught. “However, schools must also play their part, ensuring there is a code of conduct that is agreed upon by both parents and teachers. This partnership is crucial for instilling good behavior in children.”

The Executive Director of The Learning Innovation Academy, Mrs Bolanle Adewole, shed light on the significant role schools play in shaping ethical disciplines among children.

According to Adewole, while parents are the first custodians of children’s upbringing, schools play a pivotal role in reinforcing moral values, often having an even greater impact due to the amount of time children spend there.

“Schools have to make a deliberate effort to integrate ethical intelligence and moral values into their curriculum.
The students spend more time in school, and that’s when their minds are most impressionable. It is essential for schools to not only teach academic subjects but also to ensure that values such as kindness, compassion, and respect are infused into every aspect of the educational experience.”

She added that teachers must first understand and embody these values themselves.

“A teacher can’t teach what they don’t know.

Adewole said,  “If we want children to be kind, the teacher must be kind. If we want children to respect others, the teacher must model that respect.”

Adewole revealed that the goal of the APEN conference was to “Our goal is to equip teachers with the tools to reflect on their own values and make sure they instill these qualities in the students they teach.

“We recognise that in today’s world, academic excellence alone is not enough. Soft skills like empathy, emotional intelligence, and collaboration are crucial for the leaders of tomorrow,” she said.