The results of the 2010 Corruption Perceptions Index of Transparency International indicate the seriousness of the worldwide corruption problem. Although recent decades have witnessed a global public awareness and an increase in attempts to eradicate corruption, it is an ongoing problem. It is evident that legislation is not an effective deterrent and it should therefore also be tackled at grass roots level by involving ordinary citizens, including Christians. On an individual level, it entails personal honesty and the living of exemplary lives. The golden rule of Jesus Christ can serve as a guiding principle for everyday life, namely do to others what you would have them do to you. On the public level, it requires the willingness to act as whistle-blowers. Christians are called and sanctioned by God to participate actively in society's transformation. They need to think ethically and to act with the proper attitude.
Values and character education possess the inherent building blocks for the preservation of a healthy society. Values and character education have the potential to address moral issues in society and especially in educational institutions, such as schools, colleges and universities. One of the primary aims of values and character education is to allow students to experience life to the fullest. Values and character education could probably ensure a better life and future for South Africa"s youth.From the available literature, it is evident that society is experiencing a crisis regarding values, character and morality. The decline of human and societal values portrayed in the media has compelled the current government to initiate values education programmes in colleges and other institutions such as universities.In order to determine the values orientation among students of Further Education and Training Colleges (FET) in the North-West Province, an empirical study was done to ascertain students" opinions and the contributions of values education and character education. Semi-structured interviews were also conducted with the student council, the head of support services, as well as an official of student support services.
Values and character education possess the inherent building blocks for the preservation of a healthy society. Values and character education have the potential to address moral issues in society and especially in educational institutions, such as schools, colleges and universities. One of the primary aims of values and character education is to allow students to experience life to the fullest. Values and character education could probably ensure a better life and future for South Africa?s youth. From the available literature, it is evident that society is experiencing a crisis regarding values, character and morality. The decline of human and societal values portrayed in the media has compelled the current government to initiate values education programmes in colleges and other institutions such as universities. In order to determine the values orientation among students of Further Education and Training Colleges (FET) in the North-West Province, an empirical study was done to ascertain students? opinions and the contributions of values education and character education. Semi-structured interviews were also conducted with the student council, the head of support services, as well as an official of student support services. OPSOMMING: Waarde- en karakteropvoeding bevat boustene om ?n gesonde samelewing in stand te hou. Waarde- en karakteropvoeding het die potensiaal om morele kwessies in die samelewing te han-teer, veral by opvoedingsinstansies soos skole, kolleges en uni-versiteite. Een van die belangrikste doeleindes van waarde- en karakteropvoeding is om studente in staat te stel om die lewe in sy volheid mee te maak. Waarde- en karakteropvoeding sou moontlik kon help om aan die jeug van Suid-Afrika ?n beter lewe en toekoms te bied. Uit die beskikbare literatuur is dit duidelik dat die samelewing ?n krisis ten opsigte van waardes, karakter en moraliteit ervaar. Die vervlakking van menslike en samelewingswaardes � soos weerspie�l in die media � het die huidige regering genoodsaak om ?n waarde-opvoedingsprogram in kolleges en ander instan-sies soos universiteite te begin. Om die waarde-ori�ntering van studente in Verdere Onderwys en Opleidingskolleges (VOO) van die Noordwesprovinsie te bepaal, is ?n empiriese ondersoek gedoen om die opinies oor en bydraes van waarde-opvoeding en karakteropvoeding vas te stel. Verder is semi-gestruktureerde onderhoude gevoer met die studenteraad, die hoof van studente-ondersteuningsdienste, asook ?n beampte van die studente-ondersteuningsdienste. ; http://www.koersjournal.org.za
Christians often conclude from the apostle Paul's warning: "Do not be yoked together with unbelievers" (2 Cor. 6:14), that he condemns all contact with non-Christians and advocates total withdrawal from the world. However, Christians are called to "influence the world". They need to find the fine balance between an exclusive and an accommodating Christianity. Being continously aware of and grounded in the Christian worldview will guide Christians to realise their calling to be "reformers" in all spheres of life. Christians are called to contribute to society's transformation by means of a compre-hensive view of full-time service to God in every area of life. Christianity can only influence the world effectively if it is grounded in an integral Christian worldview and continually addresses the economy, politics, society, culture, religion, education and society as a whole. Flowing from the discussion, proposed guidelines for influencing the unbelieving world will be given at the end of the article.
