Family breakdown resulting from divorce, separation, or parental loss
may affect religious education as part of children’s overall educational
processes. Although the effects of family breakdown on students’ education
have been examined across various subject areas, no studies specifically
addressing its implications for religious instruction were identified
in the literature. Accordingly, this study aimed to investigate how
family breakdown affects the religious instruction processes of students
from such family backgrounds, drawing on teachers’ observations, experiences,
and assessments. The study provides practice-oriented, fieldbased
insights into the effects of family breakdown on religious education
and offers evidence to inform policymakers, educators, and other
stakeholders. Designed within a qualitative research framework using
a phenomenological approach, the study selected participants through
maximum variation and criterion sampling. It involved 41 teachers of
Religious Culture and Ethics and vocational religious courses at imam
hatip schools in 25 provinces representing Türkiye’s seven geographical
regions and 12 statistical regions. Interview data were analyzed using
content analysis, yielding four themes: (1) the implications of problems
arising from family breakdown for religious instruction; (2) teachers’
knowledge, skills, and competencies in managing these processes; (3)
the extent to which curricula, course content, and textbooks meet students’
needs; and (4) teachers’ expectations and recommendations for
improving these processes. The findings were discussed in relation to
the relevant literature, and recommendations were developed to ensure
greater consideration of the needs of students from families experiencing
breakdown in religious instruction.
Keywords: Religious Education; Religious Instruction; Broken Family,;
Teachers’ Experiences; Phenomenological Research