Inculcating Core Values among Grade 6 Students through Christian Education: An Action Research Study in Sri Lanka

Concerns regarding declining moral behaviours among early secondary school students in Sri Lanka have intensified the need for empirically grounded value education practices. Despite the recognised importance of character education, research on faith-based pedagogical interventions in the Sri Lankan context remains limited. This study employed a mixed-methods action research design to investigate the effectiveness of a Christian education–based intervention in promoting honesty, respect, and sharing among Grade 6 students. The intervention was implemented with one intact class of 40 students in a Christian school, while 40 Grade 6 students from five schools served as a comparison group. Quantitative data were collected using pre- and post-intervention Likert-scale questionnaires and analysed using descriptive statistics, paired-sample t-tests, and correlation analysis. Qualitative data from semi-structured interviews with 10 teachers and 10 parents, classroom observations, and reflective notes were analysed thematically. Results indicated statistically significant improvements in students’ mean scores for respect, honesty, and sharing following the intervention, with strengthened post-intervention correlations among the three values (e.g., respect and honesty, r = .765, p < .01). Qualitative findings highlighted the pedagogical value of storytelling, reflection, prayer, and home–school collaboration in reinforcing moral development. The study concludes that culturally contextualised Christian education interventions can positively influence the internalisation of values and the expression of behaviour among early secondary students.

Christian education, character education, value inculcation, action research

1. Amin, M., & Ahmed, T. (2021). Challenges faced by teachers in inculcating Islamic values: Pilot inquiry. International Journal of Social Learning (IJSL). https://ijsl.pubmedia.id [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. Asllani, A., Halstead, D., & Taylor, V. A. (2020). A text mining investigation of the presence and emotional impact of religious language in service organizations’ websites. Services Marketing Quarterly, 41(1), 68–87. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. Benish-Weisman, M., Oreg, S., & Berson, Y. (2022). The contribution of peer values to children’s values and behavior. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 48(6), 844–864. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. Borgohain, B., & Gohain, J. (2022). An analysis on inculcation of value education in educational curriculum and the role of teachers in imparting values among students. International Journal of Health Sciences. https://neliti.com [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. Cattaro, G., Richard, P., & Wodon, Q. (2021). Challenges and opportunities for Catholic schools globally: Insights from OIEC's World Congress. Journal of Catholic Education, 24(1), 239–251. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. Deak, V., & Chukwu, S. (2024). The teacher's code of ethics as a foundation for behavior in the implementation of Christian religious education learning in schools. Jurnal Pendidikan Agama Kristen (JUPAK), 4(2), 16–31. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. Edie, F. P., & Lamport, M. A. (2021). Nurturing faith: A practical theology for educating Christians. Baker Academic. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. Erikson, E. H. (1968). Identity: Youth and crisis. W. W. Norton & Company. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. Fernando, R. A. N. (2023). A study on the place of moral education with reference to the school curriculum in the Sri Lankan educational system. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. Fernando, S. M. S., Gunawardana, K. D., & Banda, Y. W. (2018). Assisted Christian schools governance, practices, boards, commitments and performance measures in Sri Lanka. International Business Research, 11(8), 97–109. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. Fowler, D., & Musgrave, J. (2024). Embracing Christian values: Positive relationships and academic achievement in higher education. Journal of Theology and Christian Education. https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

12. Gnanapragasam, J. B. (1988). Catholic education in Sri Lanka during its first century as a British colony, 1796–1901 (Doctoral dissertation, University of Southampton). [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

13. Good, M., Inzlicht, M., & Larson, M. J. (2015). God will forgive: Reflecting on God’s love decreases neurophysiological responses to errors. Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, 10(3), 357–363. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

14. Gok, T. (2015). An investigation of students' performance after peer instruction with stepwise problem-solving strategies. International Journal of Science and Mathematics Education, 13(3), 561–582. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

15. Hisherik, M., & Paul-Binyamin, I. (2024). The educator’s role in democratic and multicultural societies: Student perceptions at a teacher training college in Israel. Journal for Multicultural Education, 18(4), 330–342. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

16. Hurlock, E. B. (1978). Child development (6th ed.). McGraw-Hill. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

17. Jamaluddin, R. (2025). Inculcating family values: Exploring education approaches of final-year pre-service teachers. Journal of Institutional Research South East Asia. https://seaairweb.info [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

18. Kena, G., Aud, S., Johnson, F., Wang, X., Zhang, J., Rathbun, A., & Kristapovich, P. (2014). The condition of education 2014 (NCES 2014-083). National Center for Education Statistics. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

19. Khathi, J. L., Ajani, O. A., & Govender, S. (2022). Exploring teachers' lived experiences on the integration of values education in South African high schools. Research in Social Sciences and Technology, 7(2), 108–128. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

20. Kinkini, A. C. I. (2025). Integrating peace education in the Sri Lankan education system through “life world” oriented teaching. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, 9(10). https://doi.org/10.47772/IJRISS.2025.910000295 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

21. Kinkini, A. C. I. (2025). Peace education: A tool for sustainable peacebuilding in Sri Lanka (Master’s thesis, International University of Japan). https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.17561.12643 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

22. Klim-Klimaszewska, A. (2024). Religious upbringing in the pedagogy of John Paul II. Pedagogika Katolicka, 34(1). [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

23. Kohlberg, L. (1981). The philosophy of moral development: Moral stages and the idea of justice. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

24. Leming, J. S. (1981). Curricular effectiveness in moral/values education: A review of research. Journal of Moral Education, 10(3), 147–164. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

25. Ma, H. K. (1988). The Chinese perspectives on moral judgment development. International Journal of Psychology, 23(1–6), 201–227. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

26. Ma’rifah, I. (2023). Institutionalization of multicultural values in religious education in inclusive schools, Indonesia. Jurnal Pendidikan Agama Islam. https://journal.uin-suka.ac.id [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

27. Mangentang, M., & Salurante, T. (2021). Membaca konsep kasih dalam Injil Yohanes menggunakan lensa hermeneutik misional. Phronesis: Jurnal Teologi dan Misi, 4(1), 1–13. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

28. Mardiani, A., Ismail, H. B., & Ahmad, I. S. (2023). The challenges in inculcating Islamic values in the national educational system in the era of globalization: A case study at a private secondary school. International Journal of Education and Curriculum Analysis. https://core.ac.uk [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

29. McCord, C. (2025). Pass it on: Developing children’s identity with biblical storytelling at First Baptist Church of Sanford. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

30. Mugambi, M. M. (2022). Inculcating values among learners in schools: An analysis of global practices and approaches. Journal of Education and Training. https://academia.edu [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

31. Nasir, M., & Rijal, M. K. (2021). Keeping the middle path: Mainstreaming religious moderation through Islamic higher education institutions in Indonesia. Indonesian Journal of Islam and Muslim Societies. https://ijims.iainsalatiga.ac.id [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

32. Naz, N., & Ahmad, H. A. (2023). Inculcation of Islamic values in young children: Contemporary challenges and solutions. Al-Idrak Journal. https://alidrak.com [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

33. Nawose, O. D., Kerich, M., & Musamas, J. (2024). Christian religious education teachers' perception on the use of valuing methods for learner value acquisition in national secondary schools in Kenya. International Journal of Education and Literacy Studies, 12(2), 222–232. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

34. Nurhayati, R. (2022). Strategies to inculcate moral values in Islamic elementary school. Research and Evaluation in Education. https://scholarhub.uny.ac.id [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

35. Ochieng, R. M., & Chege, F. N. (2014). Religious pluralism, conflict and HIV/AIDS education in refugee-affected regions of North-Western Kenya. Journal of Education and Practice, 5(21), 11–22. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

36. Othoo, H. A., & Aseu, O. G. (2022). Role of Christian religious education in the moral values formation of secondary school students in Teso South Sub-County, Busia County, Kenya. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

37. Paparang, S. R., & Marjono, M. (2024). Christian values as the foundation for character formation in students in the modern era. Jurnal Pendidikan Agama Kristen (JUPAK), 5(1), 38–50. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

38. Retnasari, L., Hakim, A. P., & Hermawan, H. (2023). Cultivating religious character through school culture. International Journal of Education. https://journal.qqrcenter.com [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

39. Rose, M. S., & Johnson, M. (2025). The power of storytelling: Creatively facilitating conceptual change in the classroom. Journal of Educational Research and Practice, 15(1), 8. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

40. Snarey, J., Reimer, J., & Kohlberg, L. (1985). The kibbutz as a model for moral education: A longitudinal cross-cultural study. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 6(2–3), 151–172. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

41. Stahl, G., Oberg, G., Fairbairn, K., McLay, K., Noble, C., Sale, M., & Zafar, S. (2024). Investigating the development of peer-led asynchronous digitally mediated feedback in higher education: Three case studies. Reflective Practice, 25(5), 567–588. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

42. Sudrajat, S., Wijayanti, A. T., et al. (2024). Inculcating honesty values in boarding school: Study in Muhammadiyah boarding school Yogyakarta. Al-Ishlah: Jurnal Pendidikan. https://journal.staihubbulwathan.id [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

43. Suratman, E., & Sugiono, S. (2023). Implementasi ajaran kasih dalam mewujudkan sila persatuan Indonesia di tengah-tengah kemajemukan. Phronesis: Jurnal Teologi dan Misi, 6(1), 17–35. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

44. Walidaini, R. N., & Marzuki, M. (2021). Analysis of the role of parents and the community in value education and citizenship education. ScienceRise: Pedagogical Education, 3(42), 22–26. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

45. Walter, O., Shenaar-Golan, V., & Greenberg, Z. (2015). Effect of short-term intervention program on academic self-efficacy in higher education. Psychology, 6(10), 1199. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

46. Weinreich, H. (1975). Kohlberg and Piaget: Aspects of their relationship in the field of moral development. Journal of Moral Education, 4(3), 201–213. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

47. Wedikandage, L. N. P. (2014). A study of multicultural practices in Sri Lankan secondary schools and English comparator school. University of Bedfordshire. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

48. Wedikandage, L. N. P. (2021). Multicultural practice in secondary schools with multicultural background. Cultural and Religious Studies, 9(3), 116–128. https://doi.org/10.17265/2328-2177/2021.03.003 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

49. World Health Organization. (2014). Global status report on violence prevention 2014. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

50. Yauma, M. S. (2024). Vices in competitive sports and barriers that hinder inculcating values among learners in primary and secondary schools Kenya. Journal of Advanced Sport and Physical Education. https://saudijournals.com [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

• Assessment of the Role of Artificial Intelligence in Repositioning TVET for Economic Development in Nigeria
• Teachers’ Use of Assure Model Instructional Design on Learners’ Problem Solving Efficacy in Secondary Schools in Bungoma County, Kenya
• “E-Booksan Ang Kaalaman”: Development, Validation, and Utilization of Electronic Book in Academic Performance of Grade 9 Students in Social Studies
• Analyzing EFL University Students’ Academic Speaking Skills Through Self-Recorded Video Presentation
• Major Findings of The Study on Total Quality Management in Teachers’ Education Institutions (TEIs) In Assam – An Evaluative Study