The Universidad Francisco de Vitoria (UFV), through its Center for Education in Virtues and Values (CEV), has published—together with the International University of La Rioja—a pioneering study on teachers’ perceptions of character education in the Community of Madrid.
The research was conducted by Verónica Fernández-Espinosa, Paloma Redondo-Corcobado, and Marta Velázquez Gil, and has been published in the journal Cogent Social Sciences. The study analyzed the views of 477 teachers on the teaching of virtues and its role in educational development.
More than 75% of teachers recognize its essential value
The research shows that over 75% of teachers consider character education essential for the integral development and academic success of students. This perception has been consistent among teachers from different educational levels.
The most valued virtues among teachers
Among the most relevant virtues identified, participants highlighted honesty, resilience, and sound judgment. These qualities were regarded as fundamental for shaping individuals who are both morally upright and prepared to face the challenges of their educational and social environments.
School culture should integrate virtue education
The study emphasized the importance of integrating character education into the school culture. Such integration was viewed as a key element for building a coherent and sustainable educational model over time.
Another significant finding was the shared perception of the need to strengthen collaboration between school and family. Teachers pointed out that joint work on virtues fosters coherence throughout the educational process.
Teacher training: an urgent need
The results also revealed a lack of specific training in character education. A significant number of teachers expressed the need for theoretical and practical tools to effectively implement this approach in the classroom.
Contribution from the Center for Education in Virtues and Values
This study was promoted by the Center for Education in Virtues and Values at UFV, reinforcing its role as a hub for research and knowledge transfer in the field of character formation. The work represents a new step in the joint research agenda between universities and educational institutions.
