Teaching of Christian religious education and behavioural change of learners in church of Uganda schools in Uganda a case of Kasambya archdeaconry, Mityana diocese.

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between the teaching of Christian Religious Education and the behavioural change of learners in Church of Uganda schools in Kasambya Archdeaconry, Mityana Diocese. The study was guided by three objectives: to examine the influence of Content of CRE on the behavioural change of learners, to assess the role of CRE Teaching Methods on the behavioural change of learners, and to evaluate the relationship between Positive Interpersonal Relationships and the behavioural change of learners. The study was guided by Fowler's Theory of Faith Development (1981) and Groome's Theory of Shared Christian Praxis (1980). A cross-sectional research design was employed using a mixed-methods approach. Data were collected from 38 CRE teachers using a questionnaire, 19 school administrators, 10 chaplains/clergy, and 30 parents using interview guides, 64 students using focus group discussions, and classroom observations using an observation checklist. Quantitative data were analysed using SPSS version 25.0, while qualitative data were analysed thematically. The findings revealed that Content of CRE had a strong negative relationship with behavioural change (r = -0.736, p = 0.000). CRE Teaching Methods had a strong positive relationship with behavioural change (r = 0.599, p = 0.000). Positive Interpersonal Relationships had a moderate positive relationship with behavioural change (r = 0.563, p = 0.000). The study concluded that Content of CRE alone is insufficient to produce behavioural change and must be complemented with effective teaching methods and positive relationships. The study recommended that policy makers should revise CRE curriculum guidelines to emphasise practical application of content, school administrators should support interactive teaching methods and positive relationships, and teachers should adopt participatory methods and build positive relationships with learners.