How do Catholic religion teachers approach death education in Chile?

Abstract

Talking and thinking about death in school education encourages the spiritual development of students and constitutes an objective of the Catholic religion subject in Chile in both primary and secondary education. This article aims to examine the teachers’ perspectives who teach the Catholic religion on the matter. In particular, what disposition they have when approaching death with their students, what theological knowledge they possess on the subject of death, and what relationship exists between the domain of this theological knowledge and readiness for education about death. Based on quantitative methods, the results show a high willingness of teachers towards death education and high confidence in the abilities to carry it out. Nevertheless, a medium theological knowledge is identified, which is not related to the disposition to death education. The study concludes by discussing the difficulties of death education, which is not entirely based on theological knowledge.