CHALLENGES FACED BY CHURCHES IN INCULCATION OF MORAL VALUES AND RESPONSIBILITY AMONG STUDENTS IN CHURCH SPONSORED SCHOOLS IN KENYA
Authors:
Simon Khaemba Makokha, Joash Mutua Wambua & Rosemary Mbogo
Abstract:
This paper sought to investigate the challenges faced by the church in the inculcation of moral values and responsibility among students in church-sponsored schools. The study adopted a qualitative phenomenological design, with purposive stratified sampling along denominational lines being used in the selection of respondents. Five mainline churches that have sponsored schools for over five decades were considered for the study. Field data were collected from school principals, denominational education secretaries, and county education officers through interviews. Students and teachers were put together in separate focus group sessions each consisting of four to six participants. Participating students were drawn from form three and four classes. The study findings established that churches encountered various challenges in fulfilling their mandate of positively influencing the moral development of students in sponsored schools. Among the obstacles encountered were: resistance from some school administrations and some parents, conflicts with school administrations, and, regulation from either the school, the community, or from the government. In some instances, the church thought that they could contribute to the shaping of the moral dispositions of students but hurdles from within and without the schools stood in their way, making them do only what they were permitted to do.