a critique of christian education for self reliance in kenya in light of existentialism by makoyo

128 Pages·2014·0.88 MB·English

A CRITIQUE OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION FOR SELF RELIANCE IN KENYA IN
LIGHT OF EXISTENTIALISM

BY
MAKOYO MONANDA STEPHEN

A RESEARCH PROJECT SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF
EDUCATION IN PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF
NAIROBI

JUNE, 2014
ii
DEDICATION
This work is dedicated especially to my Son, Ken Rubi Annan Monanda.

iii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
When your work has been done with the commitment, love and help of many a person, it is
extremely difficult to know who to thank. Without the assistance of my family members, friends,
colleagues where I teach and my able lecturers, probably this work would have not been
completed.
To start with, I‟m greatly indebted to my dear Supervisor, Dr Atieno Kili K‟ Odhiambo, in
whose able hands this specialized work has been completed. His honest guidance and criticisms
have built me; he has made me love philosophy. To my lecturers: Prof. Gunga (Dean School of
Education),Mr Edalia, and The Hon. Dr Sammy Rutto and all the other Lecturers of the
department of Educational Foundations, University of Nairobi, in whose able hands I have gone
through while pursuing this M.Ed. programme.
To my family members, my late mum Teresiah and my late father Mikisi, without whom, I
would have not existed. They taught me to struggle in life and for sure, struggle I have. Dear dad
and mum, rest in eternal peace. To my love, Zippy Kemunto, her unwavering support has made it
possible for me to complete this programme. She is a great woman in my life.
My two sons, Ken and Mbarak and my daughters Gloria and Angel, I can‟t forget them. They
have been a source of inspiration throughout the entire period I was working on this project.
My brothers James, Laurence and Joshua, my sincere and loving sister, Grace and your husband
Nyairo, my sisters Janet and Mariah, all of whom have given me support in all spheres
foreseeable. You are a wonderful people and you have truly made my work a success.
iv
Finally, to Ayieko George Mogaka, a true friend who patiently edited this work and gave me all
the support he could. The gap of a brilliant brother has been perfectly filled. May your God bless
you and your family.

v
EPIGRAPH
“Every true faith is also infallible…it does accomplish what the respective faithful person hopes
to gain from it. But it does not prepare a reference point whatsoever which could guarantee its
objective truth. If you prefer peace of mind and happiness, then better believe! But if you would
like to be a disciple of truth, turn to research!‟‟ Letter to Elizabeth Nietzsche, 11 June, 1865
(Nietzsche, 18871974).

vi
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Declaration ..................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Dedication ...................................................................................................................................... iii
Acknowledgement ......................................................................................................................... iv
Epigraph ......................................................................................................................................... vi
Table of Contents .......................................................................................................................... vii
Abbreviations and Acronyms ......................................................................................................... x
Abstract ......................................................................................................................................... xii
CHAPTER ONE ........................................................................................................................... 1
INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................ 1
1.1 Background to the study ........................................................................................................... 1
1.2 Statement of the problem .......................................................................................................... 9
1.3 Objectives of the study............................................................................................................ 10
1.4 Research questions .................................................................................................................. 10
1.5 The purpose of the study ......................................................................................................... 11
1.6 Significance of the study ......................................................................................................... 11
1.7 Assumptions of the study. ....................................................................................................... 12
1.8 Limitations of the study .......................................................................................................... 12
1.9 Delimitations of the study ....................................................................................................... 12
1.10 The theoretical framework of the study ................................................................................ 12
1.11 Existentialism ........................................................................................................................ 13
1.12 The conceptual framework of the study................................................................................ 22
1.13 Definition of operational terms ............................................................................................. 23
1.14 Organization of the study ...................................................................................................... 24
1.15 Research methodology: Critical analysis .............................................................................. 26
vii
References ..................................................................................................................................... 28
CHAPTER TWO ........................................................................................................................ 32
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE ............................................................................... 32
2.1 Existentialism .......................................................................................................................... 32
2.2 Self-reliance ............................................................................................................................ 46
2.3 Biblical determinism ............................................................................................................... 51
2.4 The concept of free will .......................................................................................................... 56
References ..................................................................................................................................... 59
CHAPTER THREE .................................................................................................................... 64
CHRISTIAN RELIGIOUS EDUCATION IN PERSPECTIVE ............................................ 64
3.1 Meaning of the term education ............................................................................................... 64
3.2 A brief History on Christianity ............................................................................................... 66
3.3 Education in early Christianity ............................................................................................... 66
3.6 Christianity and education today (special emphasis to Kenya) .............................................. 68
References ..................................................................................................................................... 74
CHAPTER FOUR ....................................................................................................................... 76
THEORIES OF TRUTH ............................................................................................................ 76
4.1 The correspondence theory of truth ........................................................................................ 77
4.2 The coherence theory and truth ............................................................................................... 79
4.3 The pragmatic theory of truth ................................................................................................. 80
4.4 The Christian theory of truth................................................................................................... 82
References ..................................................................................................................................... 87

viii
CHAPTER FIVE ........................................................................................................................ 88
EXISTENTIALISM AS ATHEORY FOR SELF-RELIANCE ............................................. 88
5.1 The School and the teacher as actors toward realisation of self-reliance (the existentialist‟s
view) ............................................................................................................................................. 90
5.2 The curriculum from an existential perspective...................................................................... 92
5.3 Teaching using the existential pedagogical approach ............................................................. 94
References ..................................................................................................................................... 95
CHAPTER SIX ........................................................................................................................... 96
SELF-RELIANCE EDUCATION ............................................................................................. 96
References ................................................................................................................................... 102
CHAPTER SEVEN ................................................................................................................... 103
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECCOMENDATION................................................ 103
6.1 Summary ............................................................................................................................... 103
6.2 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................ 105
6.3 Recommendations ................................................................................................................. 106
References ................................................................................................................................... 107

ix
ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS
ICR-Christian Organization Institute For creation Research
YEC-Young Earth Creationists
CRS-Creation Research Society
KIPPRA-Kenya Institute for Public Research and Analysis
KIHBS-Kenya Integrated Household Budget Survey.
GEN-Genesis
PROV-Proverbs
MATT-Mathew
MK-Mark
LK-Luke
1COR-First Corinthians
2 COR-Second Corinthians
SDA-Seventh Day Adventist Church
ISA-Isaiah
JN-John
SAM-Samwel
PS-Psalms
x