1.1 Introduction
Christian education forms part of the basic national curriculum for tertiary Institution this may be a surprising fact but it has come up to be the truth and nothing but the truth. Some individuals have linked Christian with social habituation and they have also gone a long way to argue that it has no consign in either a working environment or a schools. At the same time, others believe religion in education have to be about fostering students within a meticulous Christian faith system. Over the year's Christian education has actively been known to be a strong promoter of the values of genuineness, fairness, honesty, deference for all and care of the environment. Christian education consign specific emphasis on children appreciating themselves and others, it teaches us the real responsibility of family and the community in Christian principle and action, the contentment of diversity in society through of acknowledgment of their similarities and differences, and individual custodianship on earth.
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
A critical look at religious situation in Nigeria suggests that the recent socio-economic and political situation has been a symptomatic of the endemic plurality of Nigeria’s religious landscape. The country is now a breeding ground for diverse kinds of religious movements especially within the Christian faith. Environmental factor of churches in Nigeria and its influence on the Nigerian youth has attracted attention of many scholars both within and outside Nigeria, especially since their massive proselytizing by certain groups has won adherents in Europe and America. Recognized as an off-shoot of missionary Churches and bearing some features of African traditional religion, Environmental factor of Churches is seen on the whole to constitute pastoral challenge on Christendom in Nigeria. The founders of these new generation churches always postulate diversified reasons for their emergence and expeditious growth, some say that their call is a divine call from God, while some claim divine visions and dreams, emphasized deeper biblical interpretation and so on. However, it is the opinion of the present researchers that the pivotal factors for the emergence of these newer churches, as well as the costs and benefits of the activities of these new movements to the entire Nigerian society have not been properly investigated and analyzed. Therefore some responsible theological investigations have become imperative, more so at this stage of crucial discussions and debate concerning the gains of religion in nation building. The result of such investigations and evaluations will help towards the establishment of truly stable and authentic Church of Christ in Nigeria. The thrust of this research, therefore, is to trace the historical foundations of the effect of environmental factor on Christian Youth in Nigeria.
The issue of moral decadent in our society is a thing that is needed to be looked into. Many things have gone wrong, since no one sees the reason to be upright in action at all times, in all places and in all circumstances. The continuing degeneration of personal virtue among the world’s societies seems to be emerging as the single-most urgent issue of our time. Until recent years, churches had since deferred from their original roles in morality, though many outside the church continued political pressure to move churches either towards or away from a value oriented, this posse’s questions and ideas about the appropriate approach to learning of morality in the society today (Oviawe, 2012).
Oviawe, (2012) opined that moral and morale are polite, decent and appropriate way of portraying ourselves in our duties, home and society. It is a socially acceptable manner of life. It can also be referred to as the principle of right and wrong or decorum. Our parents and ancestors practices moral and morale to the core and had h9igh regards of them. They also handed them to us with diligence. At that time they paid particular attention to the manner of sitting, walking, talking, greeting, eating, principle of right and wrong, discipline and commitment in everything they did and the way they did it. They were conscientious about their duties, keeping to the rules and regulations related to them. They saw this as maintaining their own dignity and respect for themselves and others. They made sure that everybody was well brought up.
Therefore, in Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Owerri in Imo State where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Christian Participation in School.
1.3 Statement of Problem
Everyone wants to be successful, everyone wants to be healthy, happy and rich, but most people are not willing to pay the price. Occasionally, they may be willing to pay part of the price, but they are not willing to pay the whole price. They always have some excuses or rationalizations to not discipline themselves to do everything that they need to do to achieve their goal.
The problem in our society today is the high moral decadence in the society, as the churches, parents and tutors etc have failed in their role of moral education. Hence this study intends to investigate the effect of environmental factor on Christian youth in Nigeria and increase in moral decadence in the society.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to examine the Christian Participation in School using Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Owerri in Imo State as a case study. In achieving this aim, the following objectives were set out as follows:
- To assess the importance using literature reviews, then formulate a religious education curriculum format for those in six form primary school.
- To find out the necessity to encourage young children to participate in religious education.
- To examine the major the participation of Christian in Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Owerri
- To examine the relationship between Christian participation in school and moral decadence among the youths.
- To examine the role of the church towards reducing moral decadence among youths.
- To recommend ways of improving Christian participation in school among youths.
