“Curbing Students’ Negative Behaviour through Integration of Faith and Learning in Faith-Based Schools”

Abstract

This article explores the impact of integrating faith and learning on negative behaviour shown by students in an Adventist Primary 
school. The study investigated the effectiveness of the integration of faith and learning on negative behavioral attitudes such as aggression, defiance, truancy, bullying, disrespectful behavior, dishonesty, cheating, lying, and academic disengagement. The qualitative research involved interviewing four teachers about their method of integrating faith and learning for the students. The findings showed that a student’s negative behaviour can only change in the hands of a devoted teacher who is led by the Holy Spirit. 
Through this devoted life, he has demonstrated a significant reduction in negative behaviour, particularly in respect, humility, peer interaction, and academic pursuit. The findings also showed that integration of faith in all areas of learning fosters a great change in a student’s life, especially in the areas of personal responsibility, empathy, and self-control. Additionally, the study highlighted the importance of the teacher in modelling faith-based behaviour to have a positive influence on student conduct. This research also emphasized the importance of integrating faith into learning to reshape students’ negative behaviour through the caring hand of a Spirit led teacher. This promoted a holistic approach to learning that addressed both academic and character development.