Values Education as a Social Instrument for Reducing Corruption, Poverty and Inequality

Abstract

Corruption has been the topic of many debates and much literature. Yet it remains a global challenge with far- reaching implications: it promotes and sustains a vicious cycle of poverty and leads to poor schooling environments. The underlying assumption in this article is that teaching values education is not only a way to escape poverty, but it is a way to fight it. Therefore, this article offers an account of the epistemology of theory and practice of corruption, poverty and inequality reduction. Drawing on the critical pedagogy framework and systems theory, this article (1) conceptualises values education in the South African context; (2) argues for schools as institutions for social and cultural reproduction; (3) explores discourses on corruption; (4) reflects on teaching values education as a means of fighting and reducing corruption and inequality; and (5) sketches corruption as an obstacle to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and Education For All (EFA).

DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2013.v4n13p745