THE INTERPLAY BETWEEN RELIGIOUS AND MORAL EDUCATION (RME) AND SPECIAL EDUCATION IN THE GHANAIAN PERSPECTIVE

Författare

  • Adam Konadu Dr., Social Science Department, Religious and Moral Education (R.M.E.) Unit, St. Ambrose College of Education, Dormaa-Akwamu, Bono Region, Ghana orcid.org/0000-0002-0335-4299
  • Stephen Kyei Dr., Arts Department, Religious and Moral Education (R.M.E.) Unit, Berekum College of Education, Berekum, Bono Region, Ghana orcid.org/0000-0002-8641-0750
  • Benedict Ekow Ocran Dr., Religious and Moral Education, Our Lady of Apostles College of Education, Cape Coast, Ghana orcid.org/0000-0003-0300-7403
  • Abraham Ofoe Agbenu Dr., Social Science Department, Religious and Moral Education (R.M.E.) Unit, St. Francis College of Education, Hohoe, Volta Region, Ghana orcid.org/0009-0007-8121-1203
  • Dennis Tawiah Dr., Social Science Department, Religious and Moral Education (R.M.E.) Unit, Seventh-Day Adventist College of Education, Agona, Ashanti Region, Ghana orcid.org/0009-0008-1364-0767
  • Charles Twene Kofi Dr., Social Science Department, Religious and Moral Education (R.M.E.) Unit, St. Ambrose College of Education, Dormaa-Akwamu, Bono Region, Ghana orcid.org/0000-0003-2732-5510

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46827/ejse.v12i4.6714

Nyckelord:

religious and moral education, special education, inclusive education, Ubuntu, Ghana, moral development

Abstract

This study critically examines the interplay between Religious and Moral Education (R.M.E.) and Special Education within the Ghanaian context, foregrounding the need for an inclusive, culturally responsive, and ethically grounded educational framework. In Ghana, R.M.E. serves as a key medium for moral formation, social cohesion, and value transmission, while Special Education seeks to ensure equitable access and participation for learners with diverse needs. However, the intersection between these two domains remains underexplored, particularly in relation to inclusive pedagogy, indigenous philosophical foundations, and classroom practice. The study is anchored in inclusive education theory and African moral philosophy, particularly Ubuntu, alongside Social Learning Theory and Vygotskian socio-cultural perspectives. A qualitative research design was adopted, drawing on interviews and classroom-based observations involving teachers, special educators, and learners across selected inclusive schools. Thematic analysis was employed to interpret patterns related to pedagogy, accessibility, participation, and moral engagement. Findings reveal that while R.M.E. holds significant potential to promote inclusion, empathy, and moral agency among learners with special educational needs, its delivery is often constrained by limited teacher preparedness, inadequate instructional adaptation, and insufficient integration of inclusive strategies. The study further identifies the marginalization of indigenous ethical frameworks as a missed opportunity for fostering culturally relevant inclusive practices. The study concludes that meaningful integration of R.M.E. and Special Education requires a shift from content transmission to participatory, learner-centered, and ethically responsive pedagogies. It recommends curriculum reform, teacher professional development, and policy alignment to enhance inclusive moral education in Ghana. Ultimately, the study contributes to ongoing debates on inclusive education by positioning R.M.E. as a transformative tool for equity, dignity, and holistic human development.

Författarbiografier

  • Adam Konadu, Dr., Social Science Department, Religious and Moral Education (R.M.E.) Unit, St. Ambrose College of Education, Dormaa-Akwamu, Bono Region, Ghana orcid.org/0000-0002-0335-4299

    Adam Konadu (PhD) holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Religious Studies with specialization in Interfaith Relations and Religion and Society from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). He also holds a Post-Graduate Diploma in Education from the Catholic University of Ghana, all in Ghana. His research interests include the Comparative Study of Religion, Interfaith Relations, Religious Education, and Religion and Society. He is a Lecturer of Religious and Moral Education at St. Ambrose College of Education at Dormaa-Akwamu in the Bono Region of Ghana.

    Email: konaduadam@sace.edu.gh

  • Stephen Kyei, Dr., Arts Department, Religious and Moral Education (R.M.E.) Unit, Berekum College of Education, Berekum, Bono Region, Ghana orcid.org/0000-0002-8641-0750

    Stephen Kyei (PhD) holds a BA, M.Phil., and PhD in Religious Studies from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), with specialization in Systematic Theology, Church and Society, and Ethics. His research interests focus on liturgy, faith, and their impact on society. He currently serves as the Head of the Department of Arts and as a Lecturer in Religious and Moral Education at Berekum College of Education in the Bono Region of Ghana.

    Email: stephenkyei@becoled.edu.gh

  • Benedict Ekow Ocran, Dr., Religious and Moral Education, Our Lady of Apostles College of Education, Cape Coast, Ghana orcid.org/0000-0003-0300-7403

    Benedict Ekow Ocran (PhD) holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Religion and Health from Nottingham Trent University. He also possesses a Master's Degree in Education, Health Promotion, and International Development from University College London and a Master's in Religion and Human Values from the University of Cape Coast, Ghana. His research interests include a particular focus on how religion intersects with sexual health and, specifically, sexuality education as it relates to young people. He also has a distinct interest in researching positionalities and how they influence qualitative research methods and the production of knowledge. He is a Lecturer in Religious and Moral Education at the Our Lady of Apostles College of Education, Cape Coast, Ghana.

    Email: b-eocran@olacoe.edu.gh

  • Abraham Ofoe Agbenu, Dr., Social Science Department, Religious and Moral Education (R.M.E.) Unit, St. Francis College of Education, Hohoe, Volta Region, Ghana orcid.org/0009-0007-8121-1203

    Abraham Ofoe Agbenu (PhD) holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Religious Studies with specialization in Religious and Moral Education from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). He also holds a Master of Philosophy degree in the Study of Religions from the University of Ghana, Legon. His research interests include Religion and Society. He is a Lecturer in Religious and Moral Education at St. Francis College of Education at Hohoe in the Volta Region of Ghana.

    Email: abrahamofoe5@gmail.com

  • Dennis Tawiah, Dr., Social Science Department, Religious and Moral Education (R.M.E.) Unit, Seventh-Day Adventist College of Education, Agona, Ashanti Region, Ghana orcid.org/0009-0008-1364-0767

    Dennis Tawiah (PhD) holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Religious Studies from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). He also holds a Master of Philosophy in Religious Studies degree from KNUST. His research interests include Biblical Studies, Religion and Society, Religious Education, and Moral Education, with a particular focus on how scriptural understanding influences ethical behaviour and social development in African contexts. He is a Lecturer in Religious and Moral Education at Seventh-Day Adventist College of Education at Agona in the Ashanti Region of Ghana.

    Email: dennistawiah9@gmail.com

  • Charles Twene Kofi, Dr., Social Science Department, Religious and Moral Education (R.M.E.) Unit, St. Ambrose College of Education, Dormaa-Akwamu, Bono Region, Ghana orcid.org/0000-0003-2732-5510

    Charles Kofi Twene (PhD) holds a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Curriculum Studies from University of Cape Coast in Ghana. He also holds a Master of Philosophy in Curriculum Studies in Religious Education from the University of Cape Coast (UCC) in Ghana. His research interest has been in Religion and Curriculum Studies. He is a Lecturer of Religious and Moral Education and the Head of Social Science Department at St. Ambrose College of Education at Dormaa-Akwamu in the Bono Region of Ghana.

    Email: charlestwene@sace.edu.gh

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Nedladdningar

Publicerad

2026-05-13

Nummer

Vol 12 Nr 4 (2026)

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