Challenges with Building Christian Academy in 21st Century Africa: Dilemma of Promoting Discipline Character in Christian Tertiary Institutions in Ghana

Authors

  • Ebenezer Yaw Blasu Presbyterian University College, Ghana.
  • Jonathan E. Tetteh Kuwornu-Adjaottor Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi

Keywords:

dilemma, character promotion, educational core, tertiary institution, Christian academy

Abstract

The study was part of ongoing opinion survey, objectivised to ascertain the assumption that despite the apparent relegation and protestations against it by 20th century secularisation, disciplined character could be a core educational outcome in Christian tertiary institutions in contemporary Ghana.  It was within the bigger domain of searching for a Christian academy for 21st century Africa, characterised with holistic and transformative rather than just the utilitarian education system of the secularised 20th century. Opinion collection targeted 575 people, belonging to three groups of stakeholders: students and alumni (as potential employees), and industrial employers. All the respondents (371) generally agreed to the proposal of promoting Christian values for development of disciplined character in university students. However, employers were more emphatic than both students and alumni, suggesting some hesitation of students in agreeing to the proposal. We recommended that while Christian universities could promote disciplined character formation of students, the programmes and pedagogy needs to be what works.

 

 

Author Biographies

Ebenezer Yaw Blasu, Presbyterian University College, Ghana.

Chaplaincy and Life Values Promotion Centre

University Chaplain

Jonathan E. Tetteh Kuwornu-Adjaottor, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi

Deoartment of Religious Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences

References

• Astin, A. W., Astin, H. S. and Lindholm, J. A., "Assessing student spiritual and religious qualities", Journal of college student development, Vol. 52, No 1, pp 39-61, 2011

• Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), "Employability skills- An Employer Perspective: Getting what employers want out of the too hard basket", ACCI Review No. 88, 2002 http://www.skillingsolutions.qld.gov.au/resources/employability_skills_acci.pdf [Accessed 18 June 2012]

• Berkowitz, M., W. and Bier, M., C., "What works in Character Education: A research driven guide for educators", 2005 http://www.rucharacter.org/file/practitioners_518.pdf [Accessed 21/6/2012].

• Blasu, E. Y. & Kuwornu-Adjaottor, J. E. T., "Disciplined character: A re-emerging quality for graduate employability in Ghana", International Research Journal of Arts and Social Sciences, Vol. 2, No 3 pp. 58-63, 2013 Available online http://www.interesjournals.org/IRJASS

• Blasu, Ebenezer Y., "Disciplined Character Values and Sustainable Career Success among Graduates of Christian-based Tertiary institutions in Ghana", Journal of Sociology, Psychology and Anthropology in Practice, Volume 4, Number 3, pp 1-9, 2012

• Dalton, J. C. and Crosby, P. C., "Core values and commitments in college: The surprising return to ethics and character in undergraduate education", Journal of College and Character Vol.12, No.2, pp1-4, 2011

• Hughes Mindy, "Professor delivers character education training in Panama" Regent University News, n. d. http://www.regentalumni.org/s/832/1col.aspx?sid=832&gid=1&pgid=252&cid=2724&ecid=2724&ciid=5505&crid=0

• Peslak, Alan R., "Current information technology issues and moral intensity influences", Journal of Computer Information Systems Vol. 48, No. 1990, pp 77-86, 2003 http://www.mendeley.com/research/current-information-technology-issues-and-moral-intensity-influences. [Accessed 19/4/2012]

• Shaw, T., "The Moral Intensity of Privacy: An Empirical Study of Webmasters Attitudes," Journal of Business Ethics, 46, 301, 2003

• Asare, Bruce, "The birth and development of formal education", In: Nkansa-Kyeremanteng, K., The Presbyterian Church of Ghana and National Development. 2nd ed., (Sebewie Publishers: Accra), 1995

• Bahai International Community, "Moral Development", In: The Bahá'í World, (1997) pp. 227-246. Available online at Bahai Topics: www.bahai.org [Accessed 4th Dec 2011].

• Beeko, A. A., "Radiating the rays of discipline-The role of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana", In: Uprooting Thorns of Indiscipline, (Public Relations Unit, PCG: Accra), pp 13-21, 2003

• Egyir, David K., The Eagle in You - The single most important requirement for truly great achievements, (Outfit 2 Limited: Accra), 2011. Also available at www.outfittwo.com.gh

• Holmes, Arthur F., Building the Christian Academy, (Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.: Grand Rapids, Michigan), 2001

• Huitt, W., "Moral and Character Development", In: R. Ferguson (Ed.), Character Is Who You Are, 2004. Accessed from http://chiron.valdosta.edu/whuitt/col/morchr/morchr.html on 21/6/2012

• Lahaye, Tim, Why you act the way you do, (Joint Heirs Publications: Nigeria), 2002

• McDowell, Stephen & Beliles, Mark, Liberating the Nations - Biblical principles of Government, Education, Economics and Politics, (Provident Foundation, Ghana: Kumasi), 1995.

• National Defence University, "Values and Ethics", In: Strategic Leadership and Decision Making, Ch. 15. n. d. Retrieved 21/5/2012. http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/ndu/strat-ldr-dm/pt4ch15.html

• Pillay Gerald J., "Education as Mission", In: Andrew Walls & Cathy Ross, (eds.,) Mission in the twenty-first century - Exploring the five Marks of Global Mission, (Orbis Books: Maryknoll, NY), 2008

• Prempeh, Sam. "Empowering the youth for discipline - The role of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana", In: Uprooting Thorns of Indiscipline, (Public Relations Unit, PCG: Accra), pp 69-71, 2003.

• Presbyterian University College, Ghana, Revised Statutes, (University Registry, Abetifi, Ghana) 2010. www.presbyuniversity.edu.gh

• Hilmer, K., Richardson, S., and Courtney, J., "Encouraging Ethical Behaviour in Organizations: Punishment as Magnitude of Consequences," North Americas Conference on Information Systems, pp. 2362-2366, 2003.

Downloads

Published

2013-08-30

How to Cite

Blasu, E. Y., & Kuwornu-Adjaottor, J. E. T. (2013). Challenges with Building Christian Academy in 21st Century Africa: Dilemma of Promoting Discipline Character in Christian Tertiary Institutions in Ghana. Asian Journal of Education and E-Learning, 1(3). Retrieved from https://ajouronline.com/index.php/AJEEL/article/view/349

Issue

Section

Articles