“To educate a person in the mind but not in morals is to educate a menace to society.” – Theodore Roosevelt
The development of an African culture that upholds moral values and principles is intrinsically linked to the advancement of the continent’s economy and the overall well-being of its citizens. Educational institutions play a major role, as part of their mandates is to be able to impact learning and cultivate values through educational training programs. These same institutions, including higher education institutions, colleges, and schools, continue to face numerous challenges related to ethics and values. Vices such as plagiarism, substance abuse, dishonesty, theft, and sexual harassment significantly hinder students’ academic performance and personal growth.
In response to these ethical challenges, Kepler College in Rwanda, in collaboration with its staff and students, designed and implemented an educational fellowship program aimed at pre-tertiary schoolteachers and students. This initiative, supported by The Education Collaborative’s Post-Convening Grants program, led to the pilot of the Value-Driven Leadership Fellowship Program (VLF) for secondary school students.
Launched in June 2023, following The Education Collaborative’s 2023 June Convening, the VLF pilot program targeted two public secondary schools: Groupe Scolaire Kinyinya and Groupe Scolaire Kagugu, the latter being Rwanda’s most populated basic and secondary school. Working closely with the school’s leadership and local government authorities, the program selected 50 students and 10 teachers to participate in the pilot program.
Training Structure
The training comprised two primary components: a Training of Trainers (ToT) session for high school teachers and a Students Training Session. Although both sessions shared similar content, they were tailored to meet the needs of their respective audiences. The curriculum emphasized the understanding of ethics, the significance of ethical leadership, and practical applications in everyday life.
Training Sessions
The training sessions covered the following topics:
- Understanding Ethics and Values: Participants began with pre-assessments to establish their baseline knowledge.
- The Importance of Ethics in Leadership: Through quizzes and discussions, participants explored various ethical theories.
- Application of Ethics: A post-assessment was conducted to evaluate how participants were navigating ethical dilemmas and the training’s effectiveness.
Participant Engagement
The program directly engaged 50 students and involved 10 teachers within the ToT framework. Additionally, 16 higher education students from Kepler College volunteered, enhancing their understanding of ethical values through service-oriented activities.
Outcomes and Impact
The primary goal of the program was to enhance participants’ awareness of ethics and values, ultimately transforming them into responsible and ethical leaders. This transformation was built on principles of service, compassion, empathy, and civic responsibility.
To monitor participants’ performance, assessment weights were assigned to all modules taught in the program. Key findings included:
- Improved Awareness: Through the program, all 60 participants demonstrated a significant transformation in their understanding and application of ethical principles. Students reported enhanced clarity in recognizing ethical dilemmas and confidently making value-based decisions in both academic and personal settings, while teachers noted their ability to integrate ethical frameworks into teaching methodologies. This shift was achieved through interactive workshops and reflective exercises that fostered critical thinking and practical application of values.
- Positive Reception: The Program received overwhelmingly positive feedback, with most participants rating it as “Excellent” or “Good,” reflecting its success in addressing key educational needs. For the 50 students, the program helped them cultivate critical thinking, ethical leadership, and collaboration skills through dynamic case studies that reflected real-world applications. Meanwhile, the 10 teachers gained innovative teaching strategies and mentorship techniques, enhancing their capacity to inspire and guide students effectively.
- Challenges Identified: Although the program equipped participants with practical knowledge and how to navigate ethical dilemmas, participants highlighted some challenges that affected the program’s delivery. They noted that time constraints limited in-depth engagement for diverse case scenarios.
