Teaching Gospel values

by Editor · June 8, 2011

As readers attentively peruse our annual Catholic Education supplement, as we hope they will, some may register surprise at learning that of the many independent (or private) Catholic schools, the vast majority operate in townships and rural areas.

The idea, held by many, that private Catholic schools are accessible only by the wealthy does not correspond with reality. The true picture of Catholic education covers everything, from farm schools to exclusive suburban institutions. What they all have in common is a particular Catholic ethos.

The fundamental objective of every Catholic school must be to provide children with a Gospel-based education, one which complements the pursuit of academic accomplishment with the infusion of ethical virtues which will serve the good of society, regardless of the learner�s religious background. That Catholic charism helps to create the conditions conducive to good teaching and learning. Teachers in Catholic schools often have a heightened sense of vocation.

There is a 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, so to speak, from which most will emerge with a solid foundation for life.

It is true, nevertheless, that not every Catholic family enrolls its children in Catholic schools. There are many good reasons for that, ranging from location to finance. This must not be seen, however, as a vote of no confidence in Catholic schools. Conversely, many non-Catholic parents choose Catholic schools for their children, usually because of those schools� tradition of fostering academic excellence, or because there are no other schools in their area.

Of course, many state schools offer quality education in an affirming environment with the help of dedicated educators and parents. The difference between state and Catholic schools resides in the consistency with which that quality is being offered. When parents decide to send their children to one of South Africa�s 349 Catholic schools � even those that are state-funded � the odds of finding a good school improve dramatically.

It goes without saying that academic accomplishment is an important component of a Catholic school�s mission. A school�s success in that objective is measurable by final year marks (and Catholic schools constantly outperform state schools in matriculation results). But the more important profit of a Catholic education is difficult to measure: the development of �the whole person� in terms of values, spirituality and knowledge.

Take the time to read some of the panel advertisements in this week supplement, in which schools set out their philosophy of education. There will be a stress on academics, but also on values and nurturing.

Catholic schools gain much from cooperating with one another through their networks, sharing and learning from their experiences and innovations. They benefit in particular from the work done by the Catholic Institute of Education, known by its acronym CIE.

The value of the CIE�s engagement in research, especially into the ever-changing trends in education, cannot be overstated. Catholic schools benefit from the CIE�s specialised research on educational and pedagogical matters, receive training and advice on school management, educational trends and policy, religious education, pastoral assistance, and they are given access to appropriate resources. This gives Catholic schools an edge over those that do not benefit from the institute�s work.

Learners emerge from Catholic schools equipped with academic accomplishments and a moral compass. They are being given the tools with which to join adult society with the gospel qualities of integrity, compassion, charity, justice and personal responsibility.

For that reason, it is right to speak of our Catholic schools as academies of virtue.