THE INFLUENCE OF SCHOOL STRUCTURE AND ENVIRONMENT ON STUDENTS’ CHOICE OF CHRISTIAN RELIGIOUS STUDIES

ABSTRACT

The study investigated the influence of school structure and environment on students’ choice of Christian Religious Studies as a Subject of study in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State. Four (4) research questions were raised to guide the study. The respondents comprised of students who were two hundred (200) altogether. Also, the descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. In organizing and presenting collected data, tables and percentages were used. The study was motivated by the necessity to establish the influence of school structure and environment on students’ choice of CRS as a subject of study in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State. To solve the research problem, various methodology was used such as population of the study and sample and sampling techniques. The research instrument used in collecting data were questionnaires. The questionnaires were divided into two sections, Section A and B. Section A was designed to obtain demographic information from the respondents, while Section B comprised of items on the topic under investigation. The instrument was reviewed and validated by the project supervisor and other experts in the Faculty of Education, University of Benin, Benin City. The findings of the study revealed that learning materials for teaching and learning CRS in schools are inadequate. It was also found that CRS as a subject seem not to be relevant among students that is one reason they do not opt for it. Also, teachers of CRS do not make use of interactive teaching methods when teaching CRS. Rather, they come to class with just charts and posters with few illustrative diagrams. Based on the findings, the following were recommended; that teachers teach CRS with the use of interactive teaching methods such as debates, field trips to religious sites, etc. Also, it was recommended in the study that schools make available and adequate learning materials to improve students’ understanding of CRS and as well plan the curriculum to ensure it extend to teaching other religious topics aside that of Christianity alone, among others.