The report "Well-being, faith and belonging" is based on responses from 837 students in the 9th grade at 35 Christian schools across the country. The researchers behind it, Øyvind A. Fosse at NLA Høgskolen and Roald Zeiffert at Høyskolen for ledelse og teologi (HLT), wanted to fill a clear knowledge gap. There is little research on how students themselves experience schooling at Christian independent schools.
High well-being
The clearest finding in the survey is a high degree of well-being in Christian schools.
– The students particularly point to friendship, inclusion, security and respect as crucial for a good school environment, describes Zeiffert. Well-being is consistently high, and both Christian and non-Christian students often report high well-being when they experience room for their own opinions and critical thinking. The level is somewhat lower among non-Christians overall.
Almost half of the students state that they chose the school because it is Christian. Other reasons are that the parents made the choice or that the school had a good reputation, says Fosse.
Clearest in Religious Education
The schools' Christian purpose is most clearly expressed in the Religious Education subject. In other subjects, the Christian profile is experienced more sporadically and often linked to individual teachers' initiatives. Devotion is described by most students as a natural part of the school day.
- At the same time, the findings show that only a minority experience these gatherings as directly faith-strengthening, even among students who identify as active Christians, says Zeiffert.
Critical space
Most students answer that they have the opportunity to express their own opinions, also in questions about faith and beliefs. However, the report shows that experiences vary when students experience thinking differently from the school's Christian standpoint.
The researchers point out that the school's Christian identity can appear both inclusive and restrictive, depending on the students' background and beliefs.
A demanding balance
The report highlights a double task for Christian independent schools. The schools must be true to their Christian purpose, while at the same time safeguarding the students' autonomy, diversity and opportunity for critical reflection.
The researchers emphasize that this balance must be anchored in everyday choices, in how conversations are led, how disagreement is normalized and how faith-practicing activities are made voluntary.
The minority's experiences
- Although the main picture is high well-being, the analyses show that students who do not share the school's Christian standpoint or who experience a low degree of self-determination in the school choice, to a greater extent report discomfort, explains Fosse. The report concludes that Christian independent schools largely succeed in creating good school environments, but that there is still potential for improvement in the work with inclusion, especially for students who experience being in the minority.
The report is commissioned by Kristne Friskolers Forbund (KFF).
You can read the entire research report here.
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