Religious Pluralism for Inclusive Education in Lesotho Secondary Schools
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
RELIGIOUS PLURALISM FOR INCLUSIVE EDUCATION IN LESOTHO SECONDARY SCHOOLS Rasebate Isaac Mokotso Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements in respect of Philosophiae Doctor (PhD) qualification in Religion Studies in the faculty of Theology at the University of the Free State Year 2017 Supervisor/Promoter Dr. L Ntombana DECLARATION OF AUTHORSHIP I, RASEBATE ISAAC MOKOTSO, hereby declare that the work on which this thesis is based is my original work. RELIGIOUS PLURALISM FOR INCLUSIVE EDUCATION IN LESOTHO SECONDARY SCHOOLS I confirm that: 1. This work was done wholly or mainly while in candidature for a research degree at this University; 2. Neither the part of the whole work nor any part of it has been, is being or is to be submitted for another degree in this or any university; 3. Where I have consulted the published work of others, this is always clearly attributed; 4. Where I have quoted from the work of others, the source is always given. With the exception of such quotations, this thesis is entirely my own work; 5. I have acknowledged all main sources of help; 6. None of this work has been published before submission, or parts of this work have been published. Signed: Date: 16/03/2017 i DEDICATION This work is dedicated to my late mom – Anacletta ‗Mampiti ‗Mabonang Shoaepane Nkau- Mokotso, who will always live in my memories. ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Praise is to Him who governs the destiny of man – Almighty God. My sincere gratitude to my supervisor Dr. Luvuyo Ntombana who became my mentor, counselor, colleague and friend, without whose solid supervision this work could not have been developed to its quality within a stipulated time. My unwavering gratefulness goes to research participants who sacrificed their teaching and school administration duties in order to give me a time. Without such prized time and valued, sincere participation, this work would not have come to its existence. I am indebted to my wife Maryann Thato ‗Manthatuoa Paeee-Mokotso whose contribution to this study is immeasurable, particularly in providing constructive criticisms and thereby enhancing the quality of this work. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARATION OF AUTHORSHIP ............................................................................................. i DEDICATION ............................................................................................................................. ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .......................................................................................................... iii ABSTRACT .............................................................................................................................. xii KEYWORDS ............................................................................................................................ xiii CHAPTER 1: BACKGROUND AND INTRODUCTION .............................................................. 1 1.1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Background to the study ................................................................................................. 1 1.2.1 Lesotho‘s physical structure ............................................................................................ 1 1.2.2 Political and economic status of Lesotho ........................................................................ 3 1.2.3 Socio cultural context ...................................................................................................... 5 1.3 Background to the study problem ................................................................................... 6 1.3.1 Christian status in Lesotho .............................................................................................. 6 1.3.2 Historical trends in Lesotho education system ................................................................ 7 1.3.3 The current Lesotho education system ......................................................................... 10 1.3.4 The current structure of religious education in Lesotho................................................. 13 1.4 Research problem ......................................................................................................... 15 1.5 Aim of the study ............................................................................................................ 18 1.5.1 Research purpose ......................................................................................................... 18 1.5.2 Research questions ...................................................................................................... 19 1.6 Significance of the study ............................................................................................... 19 1.6.1 Significance for scholars ............................................................................................... 19 1.6.2 Significance for policy ................................................................................................... 20 1.6.3 Significance for practice ................................................................................................ 20 1.6.4 Significance for students and communities ................................................................... 20 1.6.5 Significance for theory ................................................................................................... 20 1.7 Foundations of the study ............................................................................................... 21 1.7.1 Research paradigm ....................................................................................................... 21 1.7.2 Meta-theoretical assumptions underpinnings of the study ............................................ 21 1.8 Research methods ........................................................................................................ 23 iv 1.8.1 Research design ........................................................................................................... 23 1.8.2 Research approach ....................................................................................................... 23 1.8.3 Sampling selection ........................................................................................................ 24 1.8.4 Sampling size ................................................................................................................ 25 1.8.5 Data collection .............................................................................................................. 25 1.8.6 Data analysis ................................................................................................................ 25 1.8.7 Research trustworthiness .............................................................................................. 25 1.9 Ethical considerations ................................................................................................... 26 1.9.1 Protecting the rights of the participants ......................................................................... 26 1.9.2 Scientific integrity of the research ................................................................................. 27 1.10 Scope and limitation of the study .................................................................................. 28 1.11 Conclusion .................................................................................................................... 29 CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW AND THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK. ......................... 31 2.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 31 2.2 Definition of religious education .................................................................................... 32 2.2.1 Defining religion ............................................................................................................ 32 2.2.2 Defining religious education .......................................................................................... 37 2.2.3 Different approaches to the teaching of religious education .......................................... 40 2.3 Definitions and the linking of religious pluralism and inclusive education ...................... 49 2.3.1 Definition of religious pluralism ..................................................................................... 49 2.3.2 Definition of inclusive education .................................................................................... 53 2.3.3 Inclusive education policy in Lesotho ............................................................................ 54 2.3.4 The link between religious pluralism and inclusive education ....................................... 60 2.4 Theory of religious pluralism for inclusive education ..................................................... 62 2.5 The need of religious pluralism for inclusive education ................................................. 68 2.6 The need for religious pluralism for the context of Lesotho ........................................... 70 2.7 Conclusion .................................................................................................................... 73 CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY .............................................................................................. 74 3.1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................