The Relationship between Religious Education and Health Education in Zambia

Akademische Arbeit , 2023 , 5 Seiten

Pädagogik - Schulwesen, Bildungs- u. Schulpolitik

Zambia is a country where religion plays a significant role in people's lives, and health education is becoming increasingly important. This study examines the relationship between religious education and health education in Zambia. It provides an overview of religious and health education in Zambia, explores the role of religion in promoting health and wellbeing, and discusses the potential benefits and challenges of integrating religious and health education in schools. The review draws on a range of literature sources, including academic articles, reports, and government documents. The findings suggest that while religious education can provide a strong foundation for promoting healthy lifestyles and practices, there are also potential risks associated with relying solely on religious teachings for health education. Therefore, a more integrated approach that combines both religious and health education is recommended.

The Relationship between Religious Education and Health Education in Zambia By Owen Mulima

Owen Mulimaisa lecturer in the Department of Religious Studies Education of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at Kwame Nkrumah University (KNU). He holds aCert in The Fundamentals of Digital Marketingfrom The Open University, India,Cert Social Work,Dip Ed,BA EdandM Ed(Rel. Studies & Education)from the University of Zambia (UNZA). He teaches Religious Studies Education and Religious Education Teaching Methods and has published scholarly articles in the two areas.

Abstract

Zambia is a country where religion plays a significant role in people's lives, and health education is becoming increasingly important. This review of literature examines the relationship between religious education and health education in Zambia. It provides an overview of religious and health education in Zambia, explores the role of religion in promoting health and wellbeing, and discusses the potential benefits and challenges of integrating religious and health education in schools. The review draws on a range of literature sources, including academic articles, reports, and government documents. The findings suggest that while religious education can provide a strong foundation for promoting healthy lifestyles and practices, there are also potential risks associated with relying solely on religious teachings for health education. Therefore, a more integrated approach that combines both religious and health education is recommended.

Keywords:religious education, health education, Zambia, wellbeing, integrated approachIntroduction

Zambia is a country where religion plays a significant role in people's lives. According to the 2010 Zambia Demographic and Health Survey, approximately 75% of the population identifies as Christian, and many others follow traditional beliefs (Central Statistical Office Zambia, 2011). Religion is often intertwined with people's cultural and social practices, and it can shape attitudes toward health and well-being.

Health education is becoming increasingly important in Zambia, where the burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases remains high. The Ministry of Health has developed several health education programs aimed at improving people's knowledge of healthy lifestyles and practices. However, the potential role of religious education in promoting health and well-being has received less attention.

This study aims to examine the relationship between religious education and health education in Zambia. Specifically, it will provide an overview of religious and health education in Zambia, explore the role of religion in promoting health and wellbeing, and discuss the potential benefits and challenges of integrating religious and health education in schools.

Religious Education in Zambia

Carmody (2022) asserts that Zambia (Northern Rhodesia until 1964), is located in south­central Africa, home to the Victoria Falls and Lake Kariba. Today, it has a population of approximately 18 million, of which 95 percent are Christian with about 2 percent Muslim, Hindu, and diverse others (Cheyeka 2018; Phiri 2018; Mwale, Chita, and Cheyeka 2014, 39­40). The formal education system consists of government, aided, and private schools with a heavy natural science curriculum since independence. It consists of primary (grades 1 -7), secondary (grades 8-12), and higher levels. Religious education has been an intrinsic part of the curriculum since the beginning of western schooling in the country at the primary and later at the junior secondary levels. More recently, it has become part of social science at the primary level. At secondary school, it is compulsory in grades 8 and 9 and has become optional in grades 10-12. Where chosen, it has professional teachers and has two or three periods weekly lasting forty minutes each. As such, it remains an attractive option for about a third of all students up to Grade 12. It is publicly examined and counts like other subjects for entry to higher levels of education.

Religious education is an integral part of Zambia's educational system. The government recognizes four main religious groups: Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Zambian Traditional Religions. Religious education is compulsory in primary and secondary schools, and students are required to take either a Christian Religious Education (CRE) or Islamic Religious Education (IRE) course (Mwansa, 2011). The content of these courses varies depending on the religious group being studied.

Religious education in Zambia is primarily focused on imparting religious knowledge and values to students. The goal is to provide students with a strong foundation in their basic knowledge about religions and to promote moral and ethical values that can guide their behavior in everyday life. However, religious education in Zambia has also been criticized for its lack of relevance to the practical needs of students, (Ibid, 2011).

Health Education in Zambia

Health education is also an important part of Zambia's educational system. The Ministry of Health has developed several health education programs aimed at improving people's knowledge of healthy lifestyles and practices. These programs focus on a range of topics, including HIV/AIDS prevention, malaria prevention, maternal and child health, and nutrition. Health education is taught in primary and secondary schools, but the quality and coverage of the curriculum vary widely, (Halwindi et al., 2013).

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• Hochschule: Kwame Nkrumah University
• Autor: Owen Mulima (Autor:in)
• Erscheinungsjahr: 2023
• Seiten: 5
• Katalognummer: V1342645
• ISBN (PDF): 9783346853394
• Sprache: Englisch
• Schlagworte: religious education, health education, Zambia, wellbeing, integrated approach