Islamic Religious Education and Students’ Moral Behaviour in Public Secondary Schools in Kano State

This study examines the influence of Islamic Religious Education (IRE) on the moral behaviour of students in public secondary schools in Kano State, North West Nigeria. Rising incidents of truancy, examination malpractice, and peer violence among secondary school students have raised concerns about the effectiveness of value-based education in the region. The study adopts a descriptive survey design, drawing on a sample of 320 students and 40 IRE teachers selected through stratified random sampling from ten public secondary schools. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and observation checklists. Frequency counts, percentages, and Pearson correlation were employed for data analysis. Findings indicate a significant positive relationship between consistent IRE instruction and improved moral conduct among students. However, inadequate teaching materials, poor teacher motivation, and a lack of parental reinforcement at home were identified as major constraints. The study recommends that the Kano State Ministry of Education should strengthen IRE curriculum implementation, provide in-service training for teachers, and establish school-community moral education committees to bridge the gap between classroom instruction and real-world conduct. This research contributes to ongoing conversations about religion and values education in northern Nigeria and provides baseline data for future intervention programmes in similar geopolitical contexts. Keywords: Islamic Religious Education, moral behaviour, secondary schools, Kano State, values education.