Impact of character education in promoting moral values among students of secondary schools in Ogun State

Abstract

The study assessed the impact of character education in promoting moral values among students of secondary schools in Ogun state, Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. Population comprises all secondary school students in Abeokuta South Local Government, Ogun State. Simple random sampling technique was used to select 10 secondary schools in which 10 students were chosen to make a total of one hundred (100) as sample for study. Instrument for data collection was a 10-item questionnaire on four-point scale. Data analysis was done using simple percentage. Findings revealed that character education serves as a foundation for the development of moral values in individuals. By imparting virtues, encouraging ethical decision-making, and fostering empathy, character education equips students with the tools they need to navigate the complexities of the modern world while upholding essential moral principles. As an essential aspect of education, character education contributes to the growth of well-rounded individuals who embody values that are vital for personal fulfillment and the betterment of society. The integration of character education into the curriculum and school activities has demonstrated positive outcomes in terms of moral development. However, further efforts are needed to overcome challenges and ensure sustainable implementation. It is therefore recommended that teacher training models for improving teachers’ competence in implementing character education need to be carefully addressed. Character Education and Social Studies should be made general and compulsory courses to be offered by all students at all levels of education for drastic and all-round promotion of moral values among youth in Ogun state and Nigeria as a nation.