Challenges of Pastoral Care in Catholic Church Sponsored Schools in Nakuru Municipality,Kenya

Abstract

Roman Catholic Church-sponsored schools have generally exhibited good academic perforrmance all over Kenya. However, there are a number of challenges facing these schools which have not been studied and documented. The purpose of this study was therefore to investigate the challenges of Pastoral Care facing Catholic-Church sponsored schools in Nakuru Municipality in Nakuru County. The objectives of the study were: to establish the nature of pastoral care in Catholic Church-sponsored schools in Nakuru Municipality; to assess the challenges to proper Pastoral Care in Roman Catholic-managed schools in the Nakuru Municipality and to compare the Pastoral Care challenges in Catholic sponsored Schools with non-Catholic Church-sponsored schools. The study was justified by a lack of existing literature on the challenges facing these schools. The study was guided by the theory abundant life attributed to Jesus Christ and deprivation theory propounded by John Bowlby (2007). The study used qualitative research method incorporating interviews, questionnaires, and focus group discussions for data collection. A sampled population of 216 respondents including teachers, prefects, principals and students were selected purposively for the study. The data collected was analysed descriptively and statistically using tables. The Study established that Pastoral care is carried out in Catholic Church sponsored schools; or there are a number of challenges that need to be addressed. The findings and recommendations of this study are hopefully helpful to both state and non-state actors and the policy makers in education