A program for maintaining spirituality in the Seventh-day Adventist secondary schools in Mara Conference, Tanzania Union Mission

Abstract

Spirituality is the backbone of every Seventh-day Adventist secondary school’s existence. Being empowered by the Holy Spirit, teachers, non-teaching employees and students will avoid many unnecessary challenges that may occur within the school campus. To validate this principle, a survey was conducted at IHS where 200 questionnaires were distributed. The main purpose of the study was to examine the spiritual life of the IHS community. The study revealed six indicators that threatened the spirituality of the school. Indicators suggested that teachers do not put much value on spirituality as well as on spiritual meetings. Consequently, students have neglected spiritual meetings because they do not know the reasons for attending. There were teachers implementing disciplinary actions contrary to the SDA philosophy of education. The results required that the Teacher: role model for maintaining and protracting spirituality program at IHS to be designed and implemented which lasted for six months from November 2012 to April 2013. Six team members were recruited to assist in the training. These were basically teachers and one pastor (the chaplain). As a result, the outcome convinced all team members that the program was very useful; it can be implemented at IHS and other SDA secondary school in MC and Tanzania Union Mission in particular. At the end a special committee for spirituality was formed composed of two students, three pastors, three church elders, one teacher, and one from the non-teaching staff. Attendance of teachers to spiritual meetings increased. Absentees to spiritual meetings decreased from 10% to 3%.