Perceptions of Stakeholders on the Adequacy of NCE CRS Curriculum for Interreligious Peace in Kaduna State, Nigeria

Abstract

Kaduna State, Nigeria, is a state with a diverse religious population. In recent years, the state has experienced several inter-religious conflicts which call for attention. This study critically examines the adequacy of the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) curriculum in Christian Religious Studies (CRS) of Federal Colleges of Education (FCEs) for the attainment of peaceful interreligious co-existence in the State. The study adopts a descriptive research method with a survey design. The method involved a self-administered questionnaire, a review of the NCE CRS curriculum, the opinions of the CRS teachers, and a focused sampling of religious leaders’ views in the two government-owned Colleges of Education in Kaduna State. The study aims at analysing the adequacy of the NCE CRS curriculum of Nigeria Colleges of Education for addressing issues of inter-religious peace in Kaduna State. The study finds that the NCE CRS curriculum has the potential to promote inter-religious peace. The findings also reveal that the curriculum is not being implemented effectively due to the inadequacy of resources required to implement the content and spirit of the curriculum. The study concludes that the CRS curriculum has the potential to be a valuable tool for promoting inter-religious peace in Kaduna State, and recommends among other recommendations, that the government of Kaduna State should provide more resources to support the teaching of Christian Religious Studies (CRS) for inter-religious peace.