The Catholic School

by Michael Shackleton · Published January 25, 2012 · Updated January 23, 2012

On page 9 of this week�s issue we feature a report of how Catholic schooling has had a positive influence on the success of the South African pop group Freshlyground and, in particular, its lead singer Zolani Mahola.

Her religious upbringing in her family and in the classroom helped to provide her with Christian values that are expressed in the group�s music and in their practical, compassionate outreach to the needy.

This, seen in parallel with our front-page lead story of last year�s matric results in Catholic schools being significantly higher nationwide than in non-Catholic schools, indicates that our schools, teaching staff and educational objectives are not deviating from their mission.

That mission is not only to provide the knowledge and ability to pass matriculation exams but also to see that pupils experience a good all-round education in the spirit of the gospel of Jesus to love and help our fellow human beings, and to exercise responsibility to the world around us.

Zolani Mohola says that through her Catholic education she learnt to communicate with different cultures and backgrounds so that she could interact with people of all walks of life. For her, it is important that �we all do what we can to make our world a better place for all�. By her songs and music she aims to spread a message of love and unity, she says.

Freshlyground also works with the Desmond Tutu HIV foundation and are actively involved in the campaign to prevent rhino-horn poaching.

Catholic schools are there to form their charges in skills and activities in and beyond the classroom. They call for the cooperation of teaching staff, parents and pupils so that the young person is given an all-round values-based education.

This values-based education that underpins the Catholic school�s ethos has been brought into sharper focus by Pope Benedict in a practical way.

In his World Day of Peace message this year, the pope said the family was the place where education began. It was then developed in schools where adolescents learn a profound sense of justice in regard to others, to the point where they are prepared to make sacrifices for them with forgiveness and reconciliation.

Aware of the sense of disorientation among the young, the pope reminded them that Christ is �the key, the centre and the purpose of human history� of which they are a part.

The �Catholic ethos� in our schools is essential for a comprensive education in contemporary society. This ethos helps to give all, Catholics or not, a profound respect for human life and the human person. Teachers have to be filled with this vision and, by good example, demonstrate their living by it.

Reportedly, about 73% of pupils in Catholic schools are not of the Catholic faith. Some critics may wonder how, in such circumstances, our schools can then be called Catholic.

The concept of the Catholic school has altered over time. It is not simply to provide religious and academic education for its pupils, as it once was, but to open its doors and guide young people of all backgrounds to appreciate fundamental human values so that they can share the future with hope.

Again, the words of Pope Benedict are apt here. He said it was indispensable to teach young people the art of peaceful coexistence, mutual respect, dialogue and understanding. He stressed that this amounted to a �solid education of their consciences� so that they would not embrace intolerance and even violence.

And this is the essentially Christian purpose of our Catholic school system in present times.