EFFECT OF ROLE PLAY METHOD ON STUDENTS’ ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AND INTEREST IN CHRISTIAN RELIGIOS STUDIES IN SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN ONDO CENTRAL EDUCATION ZONE OF ONDO STATE, NIGERIA

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1     Background of the Study

          The high level of moral decadence and insurgencies in Nigeria nation is an indication that there is poor religious teaching in secondary school system. Christian Religious Studies (CRS) as one of the religious subjects taught in secondary school in Nigeria takes a central position in ensuring moral and spiritual well being of individual in the society. The key roles of Christian Religious Studies in equipping the individual and ensuring high level morality is made clear in the objective of Christian Religious Studies at the senior secondary level which include: to provide more opportunities for Nigerian youths to learn more about God and thereby develop their faith in God: to enable the youths to accept Christ as their savior; to help the youths develop Christian attitude and moral value, (such as humility, respect, love and justice etc): to instill the youth in the spirit of tolerance, reconciliation, peaceful, co existence and non-violence as well as to develop and foster in the youth the spirit of respect for all people and human life (Basic Universal Education Curriculum UBA 2013).

Without effective Religious Studies Nigerian nation will likely end up in conflict, religious crisis, insurgencies and social unrest among other things. This is because religion controls human actions in both social, political, economical and other wise (Eluu, 2009). The teaching of Christian Religious Studies in Nigeria date back to the 18th century with the pioneers of Nigerian education (Banjo 2003). During the missionary administration because of the moral values it teaches people. Following the government takeover of schools, Nigerian secondary school curriculum was reviewed and more emphasis was placed on the studies of science and technological subjects.

Christian Religious Studies is taught in all senior secondary schools in Nigerian as an elective subject; the elective nature of the subject in senior secondary schools that register for the subject in West African Examination Council (WAEC) and National Examination Council (NECO) as well as other internal examination. Christian Religious Studies is a subject that bases its teaching on the life and teaching of Jesus Christ (Ugwu 2001) as a teaching subject, it is not only geared toward converting people to Christianity, but is necessary for value formation, orientation and reorientation of value system as well as spiritual upliftment of the student. Ali and Akubue in Njoku (2009) observed that Christian Religious Studies is a subject which aims at developing and fostering in the lives of the students Christian attitudes and values such as respect to life, obedience to constitutional authority, responsible self, selfless services to God and humanity.