The Significant Role of Religious Education: A Comparative Analysis between Germany and Sri Lanka

Abstract

humanistic aims and ‘Religious Education’ that is capable of developing a whole person not just through academic skills which has highlighted the need to teach as a core subject in many countries in the world. This study strives to illuminate the significant role of religious education by carrying out a comparative analysis between Germany and Sri Lanka. First, the secondary data based on curricula, websites, books and journal articles will be reviewed. Then the wellexperienced teachers both in Germany and Sri Lanka will be interviewed with the intention of collecting primary data. After studying the curricula of Protestant and Catholic religious’ education in Germany and the curricula of Buddhism, Protestant, Catholic and Islam in Sri Lanka, the results revealed that there is a huge difference in religious education between Germany and Sri Lanka as both Protestants and Catholics have other religions in the curriculum in Germany, but religious education in Sri Lanka has been limited to learn only one religion. However, this research suggests that religious education in Sri Lanka can apply similar concepts of the curriculum of religious Education in Germany. The findings of this study would be beneficial for the novice German specialized undergraduates, religion teachers and curriculum developers. Further research is needed to investigate the research suggestions and to introduce a new curriculum for religious education in Sri Lanka for future.