In this issue, we devote eight pages to Catholic schooling, asserting its positive distinctions. We do so not simply because these schools bear the Catholic label, but because the education academic and social offered in these schools yields greater benefits than most other models of education.
Catholic schools collectively tend to outperform their public equivalents academically. The figures speak for themselves.
Unlike many state institutions, however, Catholic schools also place a profound emphasis on the personal development of their pupils, forming them to emerge as responsible members of society. Where the Ministry of Education aspires to downgrade the transmission of gospel values, Catholic schools foster them. Significantly, this is achieved through dialogue and mutual participation between educators and learners.
The Catholic charism certainly helps to create the conditions conducive to good teaching and learning. Likewise, teachers in Catholic schools often exhibit a heightened sense of vocation. Of course, many state schools too have dedicated teachers and stimulating environments. The advantage for Catholic schools lies in the work done by the Catholic Institute of Education, known by its acronym CIE.
The value of the institute’s engagement in research, and the application of ever-changing trends in education, especially in Catholic schools, cannot be overstated. The benefits of the CIE’s range of research from redefining teaching methods to addressing issues such as bullying lends Catholic schools an edge over those who do not benefit from the institute’s work.
Crucially, in its work to maximise the value of a Catholic education, the institute is largely unencumbered by the political objectives that tend to interfere in the state’s administration of public schooling. The role of the CIE is important especially in the townships and rural areas, where the government’s education policy has so far shown little signs of bearing fruit.
There is another compelling reason for Catholic children to attend Catholic schools, especially in families where faith plays a marginal role. At Catholic schools, such young people live the Christian faith in a familiar, regular and non-prescriptive context a perpetual catechism from which most will emerge with a solid foundation for life.
- The Look of Christ - May 24, 2022
- Putting Down a Sleeping Toddler at Communion? - March 30, 2022
- To See Our Good News - March 23, 2022