Schools and values

It is generally believed that schools have an important role to play in the transmission and development of values. Most educationalists would subscribe to this theory and educational philosophies throughout the world reflect this belief. Christian and non-Christian Churches throughout history have recognized the importance of education in the transmission of values. Governments through the ages have also relied on the formal educational system to instil their ideologies in the youth of their countries. Is there any evidence to suggest that schools are successful in transmitting values If one equates values with the educational aspirations which successive governments have formulated in relation to Irish education, one might well question the effectiveness of the Irish school system in this regard. An overview of these aspirations in relation to the Irish system for the past 150 years will make the point.