↓ Download Article f Share to Facebook ✉ Share via Email

Perspectives of Senior High School Students on Religious Education at Saint Mary’s University

Submitted: November 23, 2025 | Published: June 30, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.63130/hijcre.v3i1.218

Authors

Keywords:

Catholic Faith, Participatory Pedagogy, Religious Education, Spiritual Formation, Student-Centered Learning

Abstract

This study investigates the perspectives of Senior High School students at Saint Mary’s University, Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines on Religious Education, locally implemented as Christian Living and Values Education (CLVED), with the aim of informing curriculum enhancement. Grounded in student-centered learning and participatory pedagogy, the research employs a descriptive approach and integrates quantitative survey data with qualitative thematic analysis. Findings reveal that students demonstrate a highly positive orientation toward core Catholic beliefs, particularly regarding prayer, belief in God, and moral living. However, areas such as doctrinal depth and trust in Church authority received relatively lower affirmation, indicating emerging gaps in catechetical understanding and institutional perception. Qualitative findings highlight key student needs, including moral guidance, mental and spiritual well-being, the practical relevance of lessons, and interfaith awareness. Furthermore, CLVED is perceived as contributing significantly to students’ holistic development, particularly in fostering character formation, spiritual maturity, and social responsibility. Despite these strengths, some responses suggest the need for greater engagement and contextualization of learning experiences. The study underscores the necessity of a more responsive, learner-centered Religious Education curriculum that integrates doctrinal fidelity with contemporary relevance. It advocates for pedagogical innovation, enhanced teacher formation, and the inclusion of psychosocial and intercultural dimensions to ensure that CLVED remains transformative in addressing the evolving realities of today’s youth.

References

[1] Anwar, M. N., Mushtaq, N., Mubeen, A., & Iqbal, M. (2024). The power of ZPD: Enhancing teaching and learning. Journal of Education and Social Studies, 5(2), 396–405. https://doi.org/10.52223/jess.2024.5220 DOI: https://doi.org/10.52223/jess.2024.5220

[2]Attard, A., Di Ioio, E., Geven, K., & Santa, R. (2010). Student-centered learning: An insight into theory and practice. European Students’ Union.

[3] Baring, R. V. (2008). Understanding student attitudes toward Bible reading: A Philippine experience. Religious Education, 103(2), 162–177. https://doi.org/10.1080/00344080801909877 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00344080801909877

[4] Baring, R. V. (2015). The state of Religious Education in the Philippines: A review of literature. Hapag, 2, 139–159.

[5] Baring, R., Villacrucis, P. H., Barcenas, J. T., Arsolon, N., Dandan, M. A., Foronda, J., Legitimas, M., Pancho, L., Ranara, J. B., Ypanto, D. J., & Magallon-Avenido, J. (2024). The role of Catholic Life Formation in fostering sustainable environmental attitudes among selected Filipino SHS students. Religions, 15(3), 287. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel15030287 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/rel15030287

[6] Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa DOI: https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa

[7] Burrus, R. T., Echevarria, D., Glew, D., & Jones, A. (2023). The effect of Catholic education on economic ideology. Religions, 14(2), 153. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel14020153 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/rel14020153

[8] CBCP News. (2019, July 30). An open letter of the Filipino youth to the Catholic Church in the Philippines. Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines. https://cbcpnews.net/cbcpnews/an-open-letter-of-the-filipino-youth-to-the-catholic-church-in-the-philippines/

[9] Cho, J., Heinz, M., & Choi, J. (2023). Religious education in Catholic schools in Ireland and South Korea: Complex layers of diversity, policy and teacher agency. Irish Educational Studies, 42(4), 1009–1024. https://doi.org/10.1080/03323315.2023.2261431 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/03323315.2023.2261431

[10] Congregation for the Clergy. (1997, August 11). General Directory for Catechesis. https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cclergy/documents/rc_con_ccatheduc_doc_17041998_directory-for-catechesis_en.html

[11] del Castillo, F. A., & Cacho, R. (2023). Perspectives of youth on religious education in the Philippines. Religious Education, 119(1), 43–58. https://doi.org/10.1080/00344087.2023.2289264 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00344087.2023.2289264

[12] del Castillo, F. A., & Leal, M. M. (2021). Last things: Understanding the perceptions of selected Filipino youth on eschatology. International Journal of Philosophy and Theology, 9(1), 11–22. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijpt.20210901.12 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/rel11090462

[13] Estrada, C. A., Lomboy, M. F., Gregorio, E. R., Amalia, E., Leynes, C. R., Quizon, R. R., & Kobayashi, J. (2019). Religious education can contribute to adolescent mental health in school settings. International Journal of Mental Health Systems, 13(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13033-019-0286-7 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13033-019-0286-7

[14] Francis. (2013, November 24). Evangelii gaudium: Apostolic exhortation on the proclamation of the Gospel in today’s world. Vatican Publishing House. https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_exhortations/documents/papa-francesco_esortazione-ap_20131124_evangelii-gaudium.html

[15] Galenka, C., Ozora, J., & Amarise, A. (2024). Analysis of the influence of Christian religious education programs on students' prayer life. Ministries and Theology, 1(2), 62–70. https://doi.org/10.35335/e566xm92 DOI: https://doi.org/10.35335/e566xm92

[16] Imron, A., Budiman, M., Setyono, B., Hayati, M., & Sanmas, S. A. (2023). The impact of Islamic religious education on students' spiritual and social development: A study at Universitas Muhammadiyah Semarang. Indonesian Journal of Religious Education Studies (IJRES), 5(1), 34–45. https://doi.org/10.26877/ijre.v5i1.1341 DOI: https://doi.org/10.26877/ijre.v5i1.1341

[17] John Paul II. (1979, October 15). Catechesi tradendae (On catechesis on our time). Apostolic Exhortations. https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/apost_exhortations/documents/hf_jp-ii_exh_16101979_catechesi-tradendae.html

[18] Katili, F., Harefa, O., Kimki, S.., (2023). From Catechesis to Praxis: Transforming Christian Religious Education Towards Social Responsibility and Ecological Awareness. ISAR Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Studies, 1(4), 65-69.

[19] Koenig, H. G. (2012). Religion, spirituality, and health: The research and clinical implications. ISRN Psychiatry, 2012, Article ID 278730, 33 pages. https://doi.org/10.5402/2012/278730 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5402/2012/278730

[20] Madrigal, D. V., Erillo, R. P., & Oracion, E. G. (2020). Religiosity and spiritual well-being of senior high school students of a Catholic college in the Philippines. Recoletos Multidisciplinary Research Journal, 8(1), 61–74. https://doi.org/10.32871/rmrj2008.01.06 DOI: https://doi.org/10.32871/rmrj2008.01.06

[21] Miller, J. J. (2020). The student-centered classroom: Transforming your teaching and grading practices. Solution Tree Press.

[22] Nikkhah, H. A., Zhairinia, M., Sadeghi, S., & Fani, M. (2015). The mean difference of religiosity between residents of rural areas and urban areas of Mahmoudabad City. Asian Social Science, 11(2), 144–150. https://doi.org/10.5539/ass.v11n2p144 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5539/ass.v11n2p144

[23] O’Neill, G., & McMahon, T. (2005). Student-centred learning: What does it mean for students and lecturers? In G. O’Neill, S. Moore, & B. McMullin (Eds.), Emerging issues in university learning and teaching (pp. 31–39). All Ireland Society for Higher Education. http://www.aishe.org/readings/2005-1/

[24] Paul VI. (1965, October 28). Declaration on Christian Education Gravissimum Educationis. https://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_decl_19651028_gravissimum-educationis_en.html

[25] Paul VI. (1975, December 7). Evangelii nuntiandi. https://www.vatican.va/content/paul-vi/en/apost_exhortations/documents/hf_p-vi_exh_19751208_evangelii-nuntiandi.html

[26] Lorenzo-Peckson, S. (2017, March 7). 3 reasons Catholic education is failing in the Philippines... and elsewhere. Aleteia. https://aleteia.org/2017/03/07/3-reasons-why-catholic-education-in-the-philippines-is-failing/

[27] Serrano Cornelio, J. (2017). Being Catholic in the contemporary Philippines: Young people reinterpreting religion. Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group.

[28] Shodiq, S. F., Makrufi, A. D., Dahliyana, A., Valencia, N. P., Nurunisa, F. A., & Goselfa, L. (2025). The impact of religious education in mitigating the effects of family environment on students' mental health. Frontiers in Education, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2025.1523461 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2025.1523461

[29] Smith, J. K. A. (2009). Desiring the Kingdom: Worship, worldview, and cultural formation (pp. 18–19). Baker Academic.

[29] TEAL Center Staff. (2008). Student-centered learning (Adapted from CALPRO Professional Development Module by M. Corley). U.S. Department of Education, Office of Vocational and Adult Education (OVAE).

[30] Tejada, M., & Madrigal, D. (2021). The quality and challenges of Catholic education among parochial schools in the Diocese of Kabankalan. Philippine Social Science Journal, 4(3), 75–84. https://doi.org/10.52006/main.v4i3.398 DOI: https://doi.org/10.52006/main.v4i3.398

[31] Wenas, J. C., & Verana, K. (2025). The role of religious education in shaping the character of the younger generation. International Journal of Christian Education and Philosophical Inquiry, 1(2), 29–42. https://doi.org/10.61132/ijcep.v1i2.303 DOI: https://doi.org/10.61132/ijcep.v1i2.303

Downloads

Download PDF

Views: 0
PDF Downloads: 0

PlumX Metrics

PlumX Metrics

Citations

Cited by: —
View on Crossref

Published

06/30/2026

How to Cite

Capin, C. R., Armando, J. C., Dela Peña, L. V. C., Padilla, H., Bulligan, P., Villanoza, A. V., & Del Rosario, D. (2026). Perspectives of Senior High School Students on Religious Education at Saint Mary’s University. Hitik: International Journal of Catechists and Religious Educators, 3(1), 132-152. https://doi.org/10.63130/hijcre.v3i1.218