EVALUATION OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS CHRISTIAN RELIGIOUS STUDIES CURRICULUM IN ENUGU STATE

ABSTRACT The general purpose of this study was to evaluate the implementation of the National Curriculum for Senior Secondary CRS in Enugu State. Seven research questions and six null hypotheses guided the study. Theoretical and empirical based literatures related to the study were discussed in the work. The study adopted the evaluation research design. The study was carried out in Enugu state, Nigeria. The population of this study was 15,716 respondents. The sample for this study was 930 respondents which comprised 30 teachers and 900 students. The instruments for data collection were questionnaire, observation checklist, interview guide and focus group discussion. The reliability coefficients of the instrument (questionnaire) were determined using Cronbach’s Alpha and the coefficients for clusters A – E were 0.84, 0.81, 0.89, 0.88 and 0.79 respectively. The overall reliability coefficient of 0.86 was obtained. Data generated for the study were analyzed using frequency, percentages, mean scores and standard deviation to answer the research questions. However, data from interview and focus group discussion were qualitatively analyzed. The hypotheses were tested using independent sample t-test and chi-square at 0.05 level of significance. The findings of the study among others showed that the objectives of CRS curriculum have been achieved to a great extent. It was also revealed that the contents of the CRS curriculum for senior secondary schools are adequate for achieving the objectives of the CRS curriculum. It was also established that respondents from urban and rural schools did not differ significantly in their opinions on the extent to which the contents of the CRS curriculum for senior secondary schools are adequate for achieving the objectives of the curriculum. Conclusions were reached, educational implications of the study were highlighted and it was recommended among other things that there is need for continuous training and retraining of the CRS teachers to sharpen their skills on the use of recommended teaching methods and instructional materials in the teaching and learning of CRS. These will help CRS teachers to implement the curriculum effectively by using the appropriate teaching materials and methods recommended in the curriculum. It was also recommended that teachers and students should take good care of the instructional materials while making conscientious use of them in order not to spoil or have them stolen. Government and well to do individuals should provide more instructional materials to schools to ensure that they are continuously available for the teaching and learning of CRS. This will make learning interactive, interesting, informative and life changing. These will help the students to achieve the desired objectives, aims and contents of the curriculum. The limitations of the study were outlined and suggestions were made for further research.