Value of our Catholic schools

by Editor · May 12, 2010

Our annual supplement on Catholic schools in this edition highlights again the crucial contribution which the Church�s education professionals are making in the formation of our young people.

Every year in South Africa, Catholic schools exceed the national matric pass rate significantly; in 2009, for example, by 23,6%. In reflecting on this, it is important to remember that the common view of Catholic schools as uniformly wealthy, private institutions does not correspond with reality. While some certainly are of an exclusive nature, most are based in a parochial or rural context.

The academic accomplishments, sometimes achieved in difficult circumstances, testify to the dedication of principals and teachers, now usually lay people who sustain their religious predecessors� commitment to sound education in these schools.

The pursuit of academic excellence certainly is a distinguishing mark of Catholic schooling, but their substance goes well beyond that. Throughout the 12-page supplement, Catholic schools in their advertisements emphasise the true aim of Catholic education: the formation of a well-rounded individual in a caring environment.

Read the mission statements in some of these adverts: �we value the uniqueness and potential of each of our girls�, �we instill sound gospel values and life skills that will enrich your child�, �the spiritual and emotional development of our students is nurtured�, �learners in our school are encouraged to learn and grow�.

Catholic schools aim to instill in their students a sense of faith, learning, discipline and ethics � virtues that will see them through well beyond matric, and may remain with them for a lifetime.

More than that, Catholic schools impart gospel values such as integrity, compassion, charity, justice and personal responsibility. Thereby they send into the world young adults who are equipped to make a concrete contribution to society.

In its objective to provide young people with an excellent academic education and formation, the Catholic school system benefits from a comprehensive support system in the form of the Catholic Institute for Education, the Centre for School Quality and Improvement and the Catholic Schools Office. Between these, Catholic schools benefit from specialised research on educational and pedagogical matters, receive training and advice on school management, educational trends and policy, religious education, pastoral assistance, and access to appropriate resources.

Through the Catholic education network, educators and school management (and even those working in a non-Catholic environment) are able to share insights and experiences � good and bad � and learn from these. Thanks to this commitment, Catholic schools tend to be at the cutting edge of education in South Africa.

While the support system is very helpful for schools that have resources, it is absolutely crucial for state-funded Catholic schools and those in rural areas, without which a whole sector of South Africa�s education sector would likely collapse.

The strength of the Catholic Church can be measured by its schools. In Southern Africa, Catholics have cause to be proud of their schools, knowing however that there is no place for complacency.

Catholic education is a cause which all the faithful, individually and through their parishes, are called to support, regardless of whether they or their children have attended Church schools. This can take the form of making the local Catholic school a centre of parish life, or by individuals subsidising the education of a pupil, or by parishioners engaging in fundraising activities.

We must take care of our Catholic schools: they produce many of our future leaders, in the Church and in society.