Discipleship in privately owned christian schools in Ddwaniro Sub-county, Rakai district, Uganda

Abstract

The study explored and analyzed the practices, challenges, and impacts of discipleship in privately owned Christian schools in Ddwaniro Sub-County, Rakai District. Incidents of student participation in strikes, teasing, absenteeism, and irregularity in classes, among others, remain high, undermining the role of discipleship in privately owned schools in Ddwaniro Sub-County. Therefore, this study was limited to exploring how discipleship is conceptualized, identifying the methods and strategies used to promote discipleship, evaluating its effects on spiritual development, and assessing the challenges of implementing discipleship programs in privately owned Christian schools. The study was informed by a qualitative case study research design. The target population comprised pupils/students and school administrators (including head teachers, deputy head teachers, directors of studies, and Chaplains). These were purposively and conveniently sampled. Interview and focus group discussion guides were used for data collection, which was analyzed qualitatively. The results indicated that discipleship is essential for spearheading spiritual development in a school community. Discipleship strategies in schools include fellowship, seminars, and Bible study. Discipleship integrates a Biblical worldview into all subjects. It fosters discipline, encourages deeper personal relationships, and deepens interaction among learners. The implementation of discipleship programs in privately owned Christian schools remains constrained by resource constraints, limited skills, and limited human resources. The study concluded that discipleship in privately owned Christian schools in Ddwaniro Sub-County, Rakai District, remains weak, with several loopholes. The study recommends that privately owned schools streamline discipleship programs.