Tom Mong’are Nyagwoka, Joseph K. Njino, J. O. M. Nandi
(Department of Social Science Education, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Kenya)

 

 

Abstract: Seventh-day philosophy of Holistic education is system where all students regardless of color, gender and disability attend school at an appropriate age and where all students are reachable to holistic syllabus of physical, social and intellectual (mind/character) development. The paper is an outcome of a study which was conducted whose objective three was to investigate the applicability of the Adventist Church teachings on the volatile perennial Borabu/Sotik border violence with special reference to the 2007/8 post-election violence, Kenya. The area of study was Borabu Sub County. The research is anchored on Dewey’s educational theory of school and society (1900), which holds that education and learning are societal interactive progressions and a place of both character and potential development. Descriptive survey methods were used. A sample size of 207 from a total population of 2003 was used. A questionnaire with a 5 point likert type scale, interview schedule and observation technique were used. Simple random sampling and purposive were used to select respondents for questionnaire and interview data collection. Concerning data collecting procedures 174 church members and 21 IDPs, copies of the questionnaire were administered. As regards to interview data, the researcher deliberately interviewed 7 pastors and 5 IDPs. As regards analysis, data collected from the field was sorted, coded, classified and entered into the computer for analysis. A number of questions were designed to measure respondent’s views on the two objectives of the study by the use of the 5 point scoring keys with responses ranging from strongly agree = 5, agree = 4, undecided = 1, agree = 3 and strongly disagree = 2. Qualitative data from interview was analyzed using descriptive statistics such as percentages and frequency counts. Major findings of the study were; In order for Nyamira County to realize the goals of vision 2030 it has to incorporate the core teachings of the Adventist philosophy of holistic education of: integration of faith and learning, intellectualism, economic development, integrity, free society and non-violence. The paper concluded that the Seventh-day philosophy of holistic education is the basis that would be instrumental in addressing challenges of academic standards, poverty,
oppression, insecurity, historical injustices, and negation of both Christian and secular values.

 

 

Key words: Adventist philosophy of education, integration of faith and learning, violence, values