Foreword
The non-denominational Ethics syllabus of the CES has evolved since 2003 when the Moral Education/ Ethics programme was first introduced in the centre. The Moral Education programme was introduced to cater for children who had enrolled at the CES and whose parents expressed a wish that they be withdrawn from the St. Seachnall’s mainstream Religion programme.
Rationale
The non-denominational ethics course is more an area of work than a course of study. The teacher is not the adult who teaches pupils who learn. The teacher becomes the group leader who initiates discussion and reflection so that everyone learns to choose attitudes and personal rules by which to live one’s life. This implies that the non-denominational ethics syllabus is underpinned solely by universal values which will be applied to increasingly wide areas and groups and to increasingly less routine problem situations.
The CES non-denominational Ethics curriculum of the CES encourages children to explore their own spiritual identities in a secure setting while also being aware of and respecting the notion that other people may think differently to them. Children are encouraged to celebrate difference and are provided with the knowledge, skills and attitudes to make informed moral decisions and live in a society which embraces diversity. Children are also facilitated in exploring the different values and traditions of the world in which they live.
The non-denominational ethics course is based on choice of attitudes towards life situations. Care will be taken, therefore, never to encroach upon private life and to use external examples to allow the children themselves to make the connection with their real-life personal experience.
As choosing the non-denominational ethics course is tantamount to a philosophical option, its non-dogmatic approach does not rule out seeking information about religions and comparison with other thought movements.
General aims of the non-denominational curriculum
The programme should:
- Prepare children to become caring members of a multicultural society with the necessary intercultural skills to enrich such a society
- Facilitate children to make reasoned and informed moral judgements
- Raise awareness in children of issues of human rights, justice and equality in society
- Develop in children an ethical and reasoned approach to caring for the environment
- Raise awareness and promote tolerance of traditions and beliefs in other communities and cultures
- Encourage considered expression of one’s own opinions and attentive and respectful listening to the opinions of others
- Facilitate in children the ability to make reasoned and informed moral judgements
- Address issues respect for the rights of every living being
Methodologies
Teachers are encouraged to use a variety of methodologies in order to implement the curriculum in an age appropriate manner. The following are suggested approaches to delivery of the non-denominational Ethics curriculum:
Play Discussion Stories and Poems
Debate Group work Project Work
Games Reflection time Art
Classroom visitors Role Play Music
Video
Assessment
Once the choice has been made on the part of the parents/guardians that the child will participate in the non-denominational Ethics course this will form part of the child’s CES curriculum and assessment must take place. Teachers are encouraged to include a range of formal and informal assessment strategies to evaluate the children’s understanding, skills and attitudes. Methods of assessment may include the following:
Oral work
Written work
Project work
Teacher observation
Exploration of attitudes
Checklists and indicators of desirable outcomes
Communication between children and children
Communication between children and adults
Portfolio of children’s’ work
Homework
It is envisaged that the process of assessment will reflect the learning styles of the children.
Parents and Guardians
This programme recognises parents and guardians as the primary educators of their children. As part of the curriculum they will be encouraged to engage with their children in developing their knowledge, skills and attitudes in the area of non-denominational Ethics.
Resources
Primary School Curriculum: Department of Education and Science/National Council for Curriculum Assessment
Non-denominational Ethics syllabus (Primary) European Schools
Learn Together – an ethical education curriculum for Educate Together schools
Civics and Moral Education Syllabus – Ministry of Education Singapore