International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume III, Issue VI, June 2019 | ISSN 2454–6186

 An Investigation of the Influence of Christian Religious Education on Student’s Ethical Formation in Secondary Schools in Thika West Sub-County, Kenya

Raphael Wanjau

Phd. Candidate of Philosophy in Religious Studies of Mount Kenya University

Abstract:-There are many ethical problems affecting the students today in many Secondary schools in Kenya which can be attributed to lack of ethical and character formation imparted by C.R.E. These problems are reported in print and electronic media daily. The objectives of the study were; to examine the relevance of C.R.E to student’s ethical formation in Secondary Schools, to explore the extent to which C.R.E influences the ethical formation of students in Secondary Schools, to assess the role of CRE teachers in imparting ethical values among students in Secondary schools, to suggest ways and means of enhancing ethical formation through the teaching of CRE in secondary schools in Kenya. The study used a descriptive research design. The target population of the study was 744. This comprised of 65 Secondary Schools, 65 School principals, 112 CRE teachers, 500 CRE students, Sub-County Director of Education and an official from the Ministry of Education. The researcher sampled seven secondary schools; One public National School, One County Secondary school, three Sub-County Secondary schools because they are the majority category of schools in the Sub-County, One Church Sponsored Secondary School and One Private Individual Secondary School. The researcher purposely targeted the above schools because of their diversity. The researcher used both purposive and simple random sampling. The schools were selected using Purposive sampling to achieve the desired objectives and the students were selected using random sampling to ensure partiality. The study used primary data collection method using questionnaires; the questionnaires included both open and closed ended questions. The study gave the results of the findings, conclusions and recommendations. This study would be used by the ministry of education and other stake holders to underline the importance of CRE in the Ethical formation of the students in secondary schools and make it relevant to influence the ethical formation of students. This would consequently make the students morally upright and less corrupt citizens in public and private sector in Kenya in future. The study found that CRE is practical than any other subject since there are real life applications of what is studied in CRE. The study concluded that Christian religious education significantly and positively influences the student’s ethical formation in secondary schools in Thika west sub-county, Kenya.

Keywords: Discipline, Education, Ethics, Christianity, Secondary School, Morality, Curriculum, Christian Religious Education (C.R.E).