Jacque Dupuis’ Theological Model for Interreligious Dialogue: A Framework for Curriculum Review in Nigeria Basic and Secondary Education

Abstract

Religion is a significant indicator in Nigeria social and political index. Nevertheless, in the currently riddled paradox of alteration of experience, religion now consists of weaponized ideologies and breeds hatred and separatist tendencies. Various governments, non-governmental organizations, and individuals have not successfully reversed the seemingly unstoppable trend of interreligious disaffection. However, Arts and Humanities scholars have argued that the nation’s education sector is a potent medium to revert the situation. Nevertheless, the major problem is the catechetical and confessional nature of the religious education being offered at the country's basic and secondary education levels. This paper adopts a qualitative content analysis research method to examine the contents of the religious education curriculum operative at the Basic and Secondary Education sector for their relevance to interreligious challenges in the country. It was discovered that the curriculum contents have more capacity for exclusive religious disposition than a pluralistic outlook. The paper suggests a review of extant religious studies curriculum at the Basic Education and Secondary Education level to include inclusive-pluralistic contents.