Integrating Values in Pedagogy for Holistic Learning: Educators’ Perspectives and Practices in Nepalese Schools

Abstract

Values, more than mere moral codes, are the empowering tools and competencies that a twenty-first-century learner needs to acquire for holistic learning. Education in the twenty-first century must contribute to producing an integrated personality with physical, intellectual, emotional, social, and spiritual values. Enculturation and socialization are the key processes in values transmission in diverse social contexts like home, peers, and more importantly, schools where educators are the primary agents. In this context, it is crucial to know how educators perceive values and incorporate them into everyday school practices. This paper delves to answer this question. A qualitative-phenomenological inquiry was made to discern the ‘lived experience’ of the educators. Information was collected using semi-structured interviews followed by school visits and classroom observations. The inquiry focused on exploring the educators’ perspectives and practices vis-à-vis the concept- ‘what’, relevance- ‘why’, and process- ‘how’ of values integration. The findings revealed varied opinions on how they perceive values with a deep realization of the importance of teaching/integrating values. It was also found that substantial efforts are made to impart values through everyday school practices. Most of the educators opined on the effectiveness of an integrated approach to values inculcation. However, few argued that teaching values in separate courses are equally important for theoretical/conceptual/philosophical insights that make integration more effective. Overall, there was a consensus among the educators that instilling values has to be reflected and embedded in the school ambiance, co/co-curricular activities, pedagogical approaches, role modeling, community engagement, and comprehensive assessment. The major concern was seen not only in making students aware of the values but also in making it a part of their daily lives – a holistic outcome.