Integrating Character Education in Schools: A Case Study on Holistic Student Development and Stakeholder Collaboration in Udupi, Karnataka

The purpose of this study is to investigate how schools integrate character education into their curriculum and culture to promote holistic student development and ethical values in the 21st century. Additionally, it aims to explore the impact of collaboration among stakeholders on the implementation of character education programs and students' character development. This study employed mixed methods for data collection and analysis. The principal instruments utilized included a student survey featuring both closed and open-ended questions and interviews conducted with principals, teachers, and parents of six schools in the Udupi district of Karnataka, India. These interviews were conducted through convenience sampling, gathering perspectives from principals, teachers, and students regarding their existing character education programs. The study's findings illuminate the intricate processes by which character education is interwoven into both the curriculum and the broader school culture with the aim of nurturing holistic student development, and delves into the crucial role of collaboration among stakeholders in influencing the successful implementation of character education initiatives. This study combines descriptive and analytical research elements, providing an in-depth examination of ethical school culture and character education practices in India.