Project – An Assessment of Christian Education in Curbing Indiscipline and Cultism among Students in Secondary Schools in Yaba

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Education is widely recognized as a major instrument for national development, social transformation, and character formation. It is not limited to the acquisition of literacy, vocational competence, and academic knowledge, but also includes the development of moral values, discipline, responsible citizenship, and positive behaviour. Schools are expected to produce students who are intellectually sound and morally upright. In Nigeria, however, the rising incidence of indiscipline and cult-related activities among secondary school students has become a source of serious concern to parents, teachers, religious leaders, and government authorities (Akinpelu, 2018).

Discipline is one of the foundations of effective teaching and learning. It refers to orderly conduct, obedience to rules and regulations, respect for constituted authority, punctuality, honesty, self-control, and commitment to acceptable standards of behaviour. A disciplined student is more likely to perform well academically, build healthy relationships, and become a productive member of society. On the contrary, indiscipline manifests in forms such as truancy, lateness, absenteeism, bullying, fighting, examination malpractice, vandalism, stealing, drug abuse, disrespect for teachers, and other disruptive acts that negatively affect the school environment (Ogunyemi, 2020).

In recent years, cultism has emerged as one of the most dangerous forms of indiscipline affecting educational institutions in Nigeria. Cultism refers to secret group membership characterized by secrecy, intimidation, violence, unlawful activities, and blind loyalty to group leaders. Although cultism was initially associated with higher institutions, its influence has gradually spread to secondary schools. Some students are attracted into cult groups through peer pressure, desire for protection, search for identity, quest for power, revenge motives, or imitation of older youths. Cult activities often involve threats, extortion, bullying, assault, drug abuse, and disruption of school peace (Eze, 2021).

The presence of cultism in secondary schools poses severe consequences for students and society. It creates fear among learners, undermines discipline, encourages violence, and distracts students from academic pursuits. Victims of cult violence may suffer emotional trauma, injuries, or school withdrawal. Teachers may also find it difficult to maintain order in schools where cult influence exists. In extreme cases, cult clashes can result in destruction of property and loss of lives. This makes the issue of cultism not only an educational concern but also a broader social problem requiring urgent intervention.

Secondary school students are mainly adolescents who are undergoing rapid physical, emotional, and psychological development. At this stage, they often seek belonging, acceptance, and identity. Without proper guidance, they may become vulnerable to negative peer influence, rebellious behaviour, and attraction to secret groups. Urban communities such as Yaba in Lagos State expose students to various social influences, including media pressure, street culture, internet trends, and youth gangs. These realities increase the need for moral and spiritual education that can positively shape students’ choices and conduct.

Christian Education is one of the subjects designed to promote moral instruction, spiritual growth, and character development among students. It focuses on the teaching of biblical principles, Christian doctrines, ethical values, and godly living. Christian Education emphasizes virtues such as honesty, humility, love, obedience, forgiveness, self-control, respect for authority, peaceful coexistence, and service to humanity. Through these teachings, students are encouraged to reject violence, hatred, dishonesty, and immoral associations (Adeyemo, 2019).

Christian Education can serve as a powerful tool in curbing indiscipline and cultism in schools. Biblical teachings condemn violence, stealing, hatred, revenge, deceit, and all forms of evil association. Lessons from the lives of biblical characters such as Joseph, Daniel, David, and Jesus Christ provide practical examples of integrity, courage, peaceful living, and resistance to temptation. Students who internalize these teachings may be less likely to join cult groups or engage in acts of indiscipline. Christian Education also helps students understand the value of life, the consequences of wrongdoing, and the importance of accountability before God and society (Okafor, 2022).

Furthermore, Christian Education promotes self-discipline, which is the ability to control one’s behaviour even in the absence of supervision. Self-disciplined students are better able to resist peer pressure, reject harmful invitations, and focus on productive goals. Since many cult groups recruit through intimidation or promises of social status, students with strong moral convictions are more likely to reject such influences. Christian Education can therefore build inner resilience against deviant behaviour.

Yaba is a strategic urban area in Lagos State known for its educational institutions, commercial activities, youthful population, and technological environment. As a dynamic urban center, Yaba offers opportunities for learning and innovation, but it also exposes young people to social challenges such as substance abuse, gang influence, violence, and behavioural misconduct. Secondary schools in such an environment require strong moral frameworks to maintain order and protect students from harmful associations.

Despite the potential value of Christian Education, the subject is sometimes given inadequate attention in some schools. Greater emphasis may be placed on science, commercial, and technology subjects, while moral and religious education receives limited teaching periods, insufficient materials, or less qualified teachers. In some cases, students also regard the subject as non-essential. This weakens the ability of Christian Education to effectively shape behaviour and reduce indiscipline.

It is against this background that this study seeks to assess Christian Education in curbing indiscipline and cultism among students in secondary schools in Yaba, Lagos State.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Indiscipline and cultism among secondary school students have become serious challenges facing the Nigerian educational system. Many schools experience persistent cases of truancy, lateness, bullying, fighting, examination malpractice, disrespect for teachers, vandalism, stealing, and drug abuse. In addition to these behaviours, the emergence of cult-related tendencies among adolescents has further threatened the safety and stability of school environments. Students involved in cult groups may intimidate others, engage in violence, recruit peers, and create fear within the school community.

In Yaba, Lagos State, the urban environment and high level of youth interaction expose students to influences that may encourage misconduct and secret group affiliation. Peer pressure, search for identity, family instability, poor supervision, internet exposure, and desire for protection or social recognition can make students vulnerable to cultism and indiscipline. If left unchecked, these behaviours may lead to school dropout, criminal activities, poor academic achievement, psychological trauma, and long-term social disorder.

Although Christian Education was introduced into schools to promote morality, discipline, and godly conduct, cases of indiscipline and cultism continue to occur among students. This raises questions about the effectiveness of Christian Education in addressing these problems. In some schools, the subject may not be properly taught, qualified teachers may be lacking, or students may not take the lessons seriously. Where moral instruction is weak, students may remain susceptible to negative influences.

Furthermore, there is inadequate empirical evidence specifically focusing on the extent to which Christian Education helps in curbing indiscipline and cultism among secondary school students in Yaba. Without such evidence, school authorities and policymakers may not have sufficient basis for improving religious and moral education programs. Therefore, the problem of this study is to assess the role of Christian Education in reducing indiscipline and cultism among students in secondary schools in Yaba, Lagos State.

1.3 Purpose of the Study

The main purpose of this study is to assess Christian Education in curbing indiscipline and cultism among students in secondary schools in Yaba, Lagos State. Specifically, the study seeks to:

1. Identify common forms of indiscipline among secondary school students in Yaba.
2. Examine the prevalence of cultism among students in selected secondary schools.
3. Determine the role of Christian Education in reducing indiscipline among students.
4. Assess the extent to which Christian Education helps in curbing cultism.
5. Identify challenges affecting the effectiveness of Christian Education in schools.
6. Suggest strategies for improving Christian Education as a tool for discipline and anti-cultism campaigns.

1.4 Research Questions

The following research questions will guide the study:

1. What are the common forms of indiscipline among secondary school students in Yaba?
2. To what extent is cultism prevalent among students in selected schools?
3. How does Christian Education help reduce indiscipline among students?
4. To what extent does Christian Education curb cultism among students?
5. What factors hinder the effectiveness of Christian Education in schools?
6. What measures can improve Christian Education in promoting discipline?

1.5 Research Hypothesis

H₀: Christian Education has no significant effect in curbing indiscipline and cultism among students in secondary schools in Yaba, Lagos State.

H₁: Christian Education has a significant effect in curbing indiscipline and cultism among students in secondary schools in Yaba, Lagos State.

1.6 Significance of the Study

This study will be beneficial to students, teachers, parents, school administrators, curriculum planners, religious organizations, and government agencies.

Students will benefit through increased awareness of the dangers of cultism and indiscipline. Teachers will gain better understanding of how Christian Education can be used for character formation. Parents will appreciate the need to support moral upbringing at home. School administrators may use the findings to strengthen discipline policies and anti-cult programs. Curriculum planners may improve the content and teaching methods of Christian Education. Government and religious bodies may also use the findings in youth reformation initiatives.

1.7 Scope of the Study

This study focuses on assessing Christian Education in curbing indiscipline and cultism among students in selected secondary schools in Yaba, Lagos State. It covers behaviours such as truancy, fighting, bullying, disobedience, examination malpractice, gang association, and cult-related tendencies. Respondents will include students and teachers in selected schools.

1.8 Operational Definition of Terms

Christian Education: A school subject that teaches biblical knowledge, Christian values, doctrines, and morals for character development.

Indiscipline: Failure to obey rules and regulations, resulting in misconduct such as truancy, fighting, lateness, and disrespect.

Cultism: Membership or involvement in secret groups associated with unlawful, violent, or intimidating activities.

Secondary School Students: Learners enrolled in junior and senior secondary schools.

Curbing: Reducing, controlling, or preventing undesirable behaviour.

Project – An Assessment of Christian Education in Curbing Indiscipline and Cultism among Students in Secondary Schools in Yaba