Character development in Ghanaian tertiary education examining students levels of spirituality and moral development

Abstract

Research has shown much concern about blending academic training with character development, as antidote to students’ vices in higher institutions. Developmental theories revealed that spirituality and moral development are relevant concepts in framing character development in higher education. However, little has been done in Ghana to probe into student’s levels of spirituality and moral development as constructs of character development. The purpose of the study was to explore the levels of university students’ spirituality and moral development as they influence character development and to create the awareness for educators to attend to the affective developmental needs and growth of students. The design was sequential explanatory mixed method using a questionnaire and an interview guide. Two published instruments, DIT-2 and SIBS-R, combined as one questionnaire with two parts to survey students (n=441) for quantitative data on spirituality and moral development respectively. Findings were presented in descriptive statistics, various statistical tests (t-tests and ANOVA) for differences among groups, and a correlation coefficient to establish relationship between the variables, spirituality and moral development. Focus group interviews (n=50) were conducted, transcribed and coded, and later integrated with the quantitative data to draw conclusions. Most of the students’ levels of spirituality were moderate or high (M=78.78, SD=9.52). Levels of moral development were higher at the maintaining norms stage (M=35.38, SD=13.52), with N2 score within the range of 20s. Both phases of the study showed students’ interest to enhance their spirituality and moral development. Hence, the desire of the majority of students for inclusion of character education in their training. Recommendations were for policy, practice and future research for higher institutional leadership to address students’ spirituality and morality needs and growth.