Life Approach: How Do Primary School Teachers in Kenya Perceive and Apply It in Pastoral instruction lessons?
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Date
2015-05
Authors
Nderitu, M. W.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
Kenya Vision 2030 points at quality education and training as fundamental to its success. It outlines one of the challenges facing the education sector as creating a cohesive society imbued with a culture of practicing desirable values. Religious education has been identified as an important curriculum area in the transmission of desirable values. Pastoral instruction (PPI) programs have been part of the Kenya primary school curriculum since introduction of formal education. The Kenya National Education Commission of 1964 recommended an academic approach to PPI. Consequently, life approach was adopted basically to equip learners with desirable values and attitudes. A literature review revealed limited research about pedagogical approaches to PPI. This paper reports on a study on application of the life approach pedagogical approach to the teaching of Catholic PPI. The findings showed that teachers were not adequately prepared to apply the life approach methodology. Furthermore, teachers who attempted to apply the methodology encountered problems such as shortage of time and inadequate moral and material support. The researcher recommended that curriculum developers provide in-service training for teachers on the use of the life approach methodology and avail approved course books for the subject.
Description
This paper was presented at the International Conference on
‘Re-Engineering Education for Sustainable Development’ held on
18th – 20th May 2015 at Kenyatta University Conference Centre (KUCC) Nairobi, Kenya
Keywords
Pastoral Instruction, Life approach, Primary school curriculum, Catholic PPI, Desirable values and attitudes
Citation
International Conference on ‘Re-Engineering Education for Sustainable Development’ 18th – 20th May 2015