The Impact of Chrisitan Education. Abstract.


The Impact of Christian Education.

 

written by:

Mandisa Mabhena.

B.ED English and Communication

 

Abstract.


The purpose of this study is to establish the influence that Christian education has on the behaviour change in students learning at Shashane Adventist High school in Matobo District. The research design is descriptive in nature. The respondents will constitute of twenty-five ordinary level students who have been in the Christian Education system for the past three years, for validity and reliability purposes. The research instruments that are going to be employed by the researcher will be self constructed questionnaires, interviews and the focus group will be used to collect the relevant data and evaluating the quality and acceptability of the research. After the data has been collected the facts on Christian Education having an influence on behaviour change will be established and they will be new conclusions on the topic on study. The findings of the study will be analyzed as to whether they satisfy the purpose they purport to be fulfilling in the ministry of education as whole and in the personality of the individual. Many strategies that have been viewed as useful in controlling indiscipline, like punishment and counseling have been employed in schools, yet positive behaviour change has remained a pressing issue in schools. However, mission schools that offer Christian education positively influence the behaviour change in students. Thus, making Christian education a significant factor in the positive socialization of any child.

Background.

In the Christian education system the bible is the source of all knowledge, the teacher the guide which is with the holy spirit in order to disseminate knowledge to the learner who is the recipient of knowledge. For the learner to comprehend and be transformed there is for the holy spirit to work in him and her and change should be noticed. So the researcher was prompted by this belief that is the pinnacle of Christian education. In this study, the researcher will investigate on whether the teachers understand and follow the Christian education school of thought, that they need the in order for them to impart knowledge to the learner for behaviour change to take place.

Students should interact with the word of God and grapple with its significance. All subjects that learners do in school be it Arts, Sciences, Commercials and Practicals should be integrated with the teachings of the bible. That which has been taught should have an impact on the learner and drive the learner to have a change in behaviour. The researcher will interview learners to find out whether that integration is done. Secondly whether it has any effect on them as the expectant results is a reaction to the stimuli, whether it be negative or positive.

Christian education balances the theory and practice from the biblical perspective, because of that there should be enhancement in the teaching and enrichment in the learning. Teacher pupil interaction should be improved. The teacher should be able to identify a learner that has a need and step into the learner’s life so that the teacher can be a guide to the learner. As the learner makes decisions in academics and also in the social aspect of life. This study will assess the effects of the relationships that are born of Christian Education system.

In Acts 8: 30, 31 and 35, we learn of Philip teaching the Ethiopian eunuch echoed lack of understanding in what he was reading in the book of Isaiah. Philip started teaching him from that particular passage to a point where he made a decision of his life to be baptized. In Christian Education teachers should begin where the student is focus on his needs, interest and dreams. The focus of the teacher is to help the learner to make informed choices in life and have a change in behaviour. A systematic inquiry will be made on whether or not the learners are often given the guidance and counseling that helps them understand what Christian Education means for their lives.

The Christian Education system assert that all interaction with the student should be Christ centered. In mission schools like Shashane Adventist High School learners should be taught about Christ. All that they are exposed to is Christ and they should follow in his steps. The question is, is that what they are being taught? If so, what change is there in their behavior? All these questions will be answered as the researcher gathers data on the impact Christian Education has on the behavior change of learners at Shashane Adventist High School.

The students in the Christian Education system should have the educational experience that will mark or initiate change in behavior. The learning experience that learners go through in mission schools should transform them. From schools learners should be looking forward to living lives in a way that reflects the transformation in their lives. The assumption is that the learner should have a vision for the future. They should be principled. A research will be made on the learning experienced that learners have had in the mentioned school. Learners will be expected to act or at least show behaviour changes that were influenced by the learning experiences from the Christian institution.

To learn is to change, to change is to learn. Learners that under go Christian education are expected to transform. They should understand the meaning of life differently to learners in secular schools. A focus group of learners that are experiencing this effect will converse or share with the researcher on what they have learnt that has greatly changed their behaviors. All the claims that Christian Education has on the impact it has on learners will be closely observed and analyzed for the sake of credibility. The life style the learners are leading should reflect what Christian Education is all about. Is it a system to adopt or abolish according to the results that will be obtained at the end of this research.

An effective education system requires more than a list of rules, clearly stated expectations understood by everyone that is learners and teachers inclusive are essential to deal effectively with the students’ behavior. The teachers in the Christian education can infuse their instructional approaches with the parables in the bible, that focus on character building to get the expected results in behavior change. The important aspect about Christian education is teaching students self-discipline, self-control and self-reliance. In order to effect this behavior change teacher should be able to teach, mentor or model a life style that will transform the behaviour of any child goes through the education system. This study will attempt to add to existing knowledge to Christian education, and also discover new knowledge that will lead to new conclusions about the effects of Christian education on behavior change. A case of Shashane Adventist High School.

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