Dandelion - How Virtues Can Be Taught in Schools

How can schools not only teach knowledge but also nurture virtues that help societies thrive? The Varkey Foundation is tackling this question head-on through its Character Education Program for Government Teams, a pioneering effort to equip ministry officials with the tools to design and implement policies that promote ethical, responsible, and virtuous leadership in education. The program launched in April, involving 140 officials from Bogotá, El Salvador, Mendoza, Michoacán and Paraná, and will continue with in-person training sessions through November 2025.

Key Outcomes of the Program:

• Strengthening government teams’ skills and knowledge in character education.
• Integrating character education principles into team dynamics and decision-making.
• Expanding capacity for designing and implementing education policies that cultivate virtues.
• Raising awareness of the importance of character development in Latin American education.

Selected from a competitive regional process of 17 locations, the participating ministries represent a bold commitment to transforming education from within. Through this initiative, the Varkey Foundation and Dandelion, Centre for Character and Leadership aim to inspire a generation of educational leaders who can champion virtue-based learning, ultimately shaping a more ethical and flourishing society across Latin America.

Learn more about Dandelion, Centre for Character and Leadership