Integrating Ethics into Education: Pedagogical Tools for the Formation of Responsible Citizens

Abstract

Ethics in education has become a topic of notable importance in contemporary reality, characterized by a context where students face complex moral dilemmas and growing social challenges. The central purpose of this study was to examine how the incorporation of ethical principles into curricula favors both the moral formation and the integral development of students, highlighting, furthermore, the responsibility assumed by educational institutions in this transformative educational process. The main difficulties that arise in this area were also addressed, with the intention of contributing elements to the debate on the need for an education that not only transmits academic knowledge but also contributes to the development of ethical, critical, and responsible citizens. The methodology employed consisted of a detailed bibliographic review of previous research, located in scientific databases such as Scielo and Google Scholar, prioritizing those studies focused on the influence of ethics in the design of educational programs. For the analysis, content analysis was used, allowing for the identification of common trends regarding the role of teachers and student perceptions of ethics in the educational process. Furthermore, the difficulties faced by teachers in implementing ethics education were analyzed, such as the lack of specialized training and resistance to processes of change. Finally, the study concluded by emphasizing the need to give ethics a priority role within education, recognizing it as an essential component in the development of students who, in addition to technical skills, possess solid values, indispensable for facing the challenges of current and future society.