Survey on current implementation of character and moral education and response to the curriculum reform of 12-year basic education in Taiwan

A national survey of 525 educators, parents, and civic groups was conducted to determine their perception of the status quo of character and moral education in Grades 1 to 12 as well as their suggestions for the curriculum reform of 12-year basic education. The results indicate that (1) the implementation of character and moral education is diverse and nonsystematic, (2) negative influences of media and family and the ignorance of teachers and students are among the major difficulties in implementing moral and character education, (3) a consensus on the core values and moral issues that should be addressed in 12-year basic education has been attained, (4) most educators and parents prefer that character and moral education be taught as a timetabled subject, and (5) accompanying measures related to the implementation of 12-year basic education include teacher education, instructional materials, Internet resources, administrative support, and parent education. Finally, the results are discussed, and preliminary recommendations for character and moral education in 12-year basic education are proposed.