2018 CONFERENCE ON

TEACHING MORAL CHARACTER AND CREATIVE THINKING IN PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS FOR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

CALL FOR PAPERS

The Philosophers Association of Nigeria (PAN) hereby invites proposals for its conference on Teaching Moral Character and Creative Thinking in Primary and Secondary Schools for National Development.

Nigeria as a nation is beset with huge challenges which make it to continue to rank low on major development indices; its endowment with diverse human and natural resources notwithstanding. As the world gradually transits from the era of natural resources into that of high tech knowledge economy, existing challenges of national development are beginning to throw up new challenges that require a new critical ethical attitude and problem-solving skills and competences across all levels of the society; if the gap between the country and the developed world is not to become wider.

The role of philosophy in national development has been emphasized in many scholarly works. Academic training in philosophy has however been marginal. Outside some universities with full-fledged departments of philosophy, most tertiary institutions teach philosophy as a general course, with contents too little to make the desired impact. While there is a need to deepen the appreciation and teaching of philosophy at tertiary level, the increasing knowledge gap, coupled with the disconnect between the individuals and the community, arising from unmet expectations which in turn has contributed to the absence of a culture of national moral values; requires a more fundamental intervention that fosters logical and analytic reasoning for problem-solving, and the requisite ethical character value disposition that fosters patriotism. This is very significant for the task of building citizens with the needed mental and moral competence for dealing with the growing development challenges the nation is presently faced with.

It is therefore important that philosophy in the gab of moral character training be introduced at the early stages of education, so that citizens can develop with the right philosophical attitude that enhances the emergence of egalitarian society. While we agree with the Platonic admonition that only philosopher-kings ought to rule the society, we advance the claim further that all citizens ought to be philosophers to a reasonable degree. This conference is thus aimed at discussing in theoretical and practical terms, the need for teaching moral character and creative thinking at the pre-tertiary level of education. It also seeks to discuss how best this is to be done from a pedagogical point of view.  Pre-tertiary level of education for the purpose of the conference covers primary and secondary schools, as well as JUPEP and other pre-degree systems of education.

Conference format

There will be different panels, with each participant making a 15 minutes presentation.

Topical issues for consideration include, but are not limited to:

• Moral character, creative thinking, pedagogy and national development.
• The challenges of teaching moral character and creative thinking at the pre-tertiary level.
•     Developing the manpower for teaching moral character and creative thinking at the pre-tertiary level.
• Developing curricula for moral character and creative thinking at the pre-tertiary level.
• Teaching moral character at primary and secondary levels.
• Teaching creative thinking at primary, secondary and JUPEP levels.
• Teaching indigenous moral character and virtues (Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, Efik, Izon, Kanuri, Ika, Ibibio, etc) at the pre-tertiary level.
• Developing ethical principles from indigenous moral values.
• Developing teaching methods for moral character and creative thinking in primary and secondary schools.
• Folklores and philosophical instructions at the pre-tertiary level.
• Modern technology and its relevance in the effective teaching of philosophy at the pre- tertiary level.
• Moral and cultural principles and codification for national development.
• Imagination, creative thinking and nation-building.
• Creative thinking and national integration.
• Developing moral character skills in students.
• Developing creative thinking skills in students.

Submission of Abstract and Papers

Abstracts of about 250 to 300 words are requested from researchers, indicating names, institutional affiliations, academic qualifications and rank. Fully developed papers between 3000 to 5000 words are expected to be submitted.

Abstracts and papers shall be submitted online: www.pan-edu.org.

Important Dates

Abstract Submission Deadline: July 16, 2018

Notification of Acceptance of Abstract: July 30, 2018

Acceptance of Full Paper Submission Deadline: September 16, 2018

Notification of Acceptance of Full Paper: September 30, 2018

Registration Fees

• N15, 000.00 for early registration prior to October 1, 2018.
• N20, 000.00 for registration after October 1, 2018.
• N7, 500. 00 for students with ID Card for early registration prior to October 1, 2018.
• N10, 000.00 for registration after October 1, 2018.
• $150 for foreign participants.

Annual Dues for 2017 and 2018 are waived for all members to encourage the ongoing membership registration.

Accommodation Information

Hotel Accommodation is available between N4, 000 and N15, 000 per night.

VENUE: Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba, Ondo State

DATE: 1 4^th– 18th November 2018

For further enquiries, visit the PAN website: https://www.pan-edu.org/npa-conferences/akungba2018