THE ROLE OF THE CHURCH IN ENSURING PEACE AND HARMONY IN JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN OREDO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF EDO STATE

ABSTRACT

The study was carried out to determine “The role of the church in ensuring peace and harmony in junior secondary schools in Oredo local government area of Edo State, The population of the study consists of 406 junior secondary students in Ihogbe college in Oredo local government area, Edo state.the sampling technique used for this study is simple random sampling technique. one hundred and forty (140) respondents were chosen to represent the students’ population. to achieve this, on section a of the questionnaire (personal data) space was created to ascertain the sex and class of student respondents. the major instrument that was used for the study is the questionnaire. it is a 15-variable questionnaire titled the role of the church in ensuring peace and harmony in junior secondary schools in Oredo local government area of Edo state. the questionnaire is divided into two sections. part a, deals with the personal data of the respondents and part b, which is the likert four-point rating scale was provided for the respondents to indicate the strength of their opinion. Based on the findings from the study, the study on the role of the church in ensuring peace and harmony in junior secondary schools in Oredo local government area of edo state underscores the significant influence that religious institutions can exert on educational environments. through its various activities and programs, the church plays a crucial role in promoting values such as tolerance, forgiveness, and community cohesion among students, thereby contributing to a peaceful and harmonious school, the study highlights the importance of recognizing and leveraging the potential of religious institutions, such as the church, in fostering peace and harmony within educational settings. by collaborating closely with schools and other stakeholders, the church can continue to play a constructive role in promoting positive values and behaviors among students, ultimately contributing to the overall well-being and success of the educational community in Oredo local government area of Edo state., the following recommendations are made, there should be active collaboration between the church and junior secondary schools in Oredo local government area to promote values of peace and harmony among students. this can involve organizing joint workshops, seminars, and outreach programs aimed at instilling moral principles and conflict resolution skills.