Assessment of the Contributions of Religious Activities on Students’ Academic Performance in Higher Learning Institutions of Mbeya City

Abstract

This study assessed the Contributions of Religious Activities on Students` Academic Performance in the Higher Institutions of Mbeya City. The specific objectives of this study were: To identify the kind of religious activities available at Catholic University of Mbeya (CUoM), to examine the contribution of religious activities on students` academic performance at CUoM as well and to find out the strategies for enhancing religious activities to enhance students` academic performance at CUoM. The study used a Convergent parallel design in the investigation. Purposive sampling and the simple random sampling technique was applied to get the respondents to participate in the study. The target population comprised third-year students, instructors and religious leaders of CUoM. In order to get data from the respondents, the researcher used questionnaires for students and instructors and an interview guide for religious leaders. Quantitative data was analysed in the form of frequency and percentages and presented in tables with the help of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 21. Qualitative data was analysed through building themes, narration and direct quotations from respondents. The findings revealed that the religious activities done at CUoM are prayer groups, religious studies courses, religious clubs, religious counselling services, seminars, visiting the needy people, religious teachings, also religious mentorship programs. Also, the findings revealed that among the contributions of religious activities at CUoM are to influence good behaviour in Students, influence studying hard, encourage good relationships among Students, enhance guidance and counselling to Students, create fear of God in Students, as well as motivate Students to reach their dreams. Again, the findings on the strategies for enhancing religious activities on students’ academic performance at CUoM include employing more religious teachers, creating a religious timetable at the university, allocating rooms for religious activities, improving good relationships between the university and religious leaders, as well, improving a good environment for implementing the religious activities and motivating irreligious students to engage in religious activities. The study concluded that the presence of religious activities in universities increases Students' academic performance because they encourage students to study hard, provide guidance and counselling to Students, instil fear of God in Students and motivate Students to reach their dreams. Thus, government and other education stakeholders should work on this by employing more religious teachers and ensuring a good environment for religious activities, like the presence of a hall for religious activities. The researcher recommended that the religious institutions should be given enough opportunities for providing religious education in the university, good relationships between universities and religious institutions, like churches, should be maintained, and there should be connectivity between religious leaders and the university’s administration so as to support the program of conducting religious activities.