article on education
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- Catholic education aims to provide academic excellence along with traditional Catholic Christian values and character formation. It creates a safe environment that encourages students to believe in themselves and work to their potential. - Teachers at Catholic schools play a vital role in molding every aspect of students' growth and development. They are challenged to reveal the Christian message through both their words and actions. - The goals of Catholic education are to teach the Gospel message, help students grow in their Christian faith community, and remind them of their obligation to serve others. Catholic schools strive to transform students into people who can contribute good to society.
article on education
- 1. Dear Principals, Teachers and students, The Lord told King Solomon that he could ask for anything in the world and it would be given to him. He did not ask the Lord for riches, power or long life. He pleaded for wisdom that he might differentiate between good and evil. The Lord was pleased with his desire for wisdom and he granted him everything because he did not ask for a merely selfish wish, (1 Kings 3:7-12). Education has the ability to lead us from darkness to light, from ignorance to truth. Every parent desires that their children may be illuminated with knowledge and wisdom. Every government spends enormous amounts of money on its citizens that they may be educated people. “Education is a light that shows the mankind the right direction to surge. The purpose of education is not just making a child literate but is the character formation and transformation of the entire being. Education adds rationality to ones thinking, makes one knowledgeable and self sufficient”. – Swami Vivekananda If education fails to inculcate self-discipline and commitment to achieve in the minds of children, it is not their fault. The school, the teachers and parents are responsible for not providing the child quality education. Indeed, the quality of one’s life progress from the quality of education one gets in the childhood. The learning process has to generate interest in the students and motivate them to remain in the institution rather than to run away from it. Education should become fun and a thrill to them rather than a burden and boredom. It is an integral part of their growth and helps them become good citizens. Swami Vivekananda one of the prominent educationalists of India points out that “the defect of the present-day education is that it has no definite goal to pursue”. A sculptor has a clear idea about what he wants to shape out of the marble block; similarly, a painter knows what he is going to paint. But a teacher, he says, has no clear idea about the goal of his teaching. Swami Vivekananda attempts to establish,
- 2. through his words and deeds that the end of all education is “man making”; just as in the case of a plant, one cannot do anything more than supply it with water, air and manure while it grows from within its own nature, so is the case with a human child”. Why Catholic Education? Catholic Education provides children with academic excellence enhanced by traditional Catholic Christian Values. The teachers of Catholic School have the opportunity to interact with and mold every aspect of a child’s growth and development. The educators create a safe, loving environment that encourages students to believe in their capabilities and to work toward their potential. The teachers prepare the individual for an ever changing world in which thinking is not only a habit, but a way of life. The Vatican Congregation for Catholic Education states that Catholic schools are, “seen as places where faith is part of the school’s culture and where all members of the school community share this Christian vision.” The schools are called to integrate “all different aspects of human knowledge through the subjects taught in light of the Gospel” and help people “grow towards maturity in faith.” The teachers play a vital role in the formation and transformation of the students. I put it this way: a teacher can make out of student a saint or a stinker. There was once this conversation between a father and the son: “Dad, how is that you want me to study in a Catholic school but you always warned me against going to a Catholic Church for any kind of service?” “Son, our faith is different, that’s why I warned you against going to Catholic Church”. But as time brings maturity to your thinking and faith you have the choice to make. “Why is that you insist that I go to a Catholic school?”
- 3. That is a good question. “Catholic education always excels in character transformation. The Catholic institutions are known throughout history for their dedicated and committed quality education. They transform you into a human person who can contribute tremendous good to the society. Catholic institutions are known for their discipline, dedication and commitment.” I want you to have deep roots that you may really transform yourself. The National Council of Catholic Bishops, in its pastoral message issued in 1972, identified three main goals for all of Catholic Education: - To teach the Gospel message - To help people grow in the fellowship of the Christian community - To remind the Christian of the obligation of service “The Declaration on Christian Education” is one of documents of the Second Vatican Council. It was issued in 1965. The document emphasizes “to create for the school community an atmosphere enlivened by the Gospel spirit of freedom and charity…to help the student in such a way that the development of his own personality will be matched by the growth of that new creation he became by baptism…(and) to relate all human culture eventually to the news of salvation.” Every Catholic institution has a mission to accomplish and a vision to fulfill. Too often, many of our mission and vision statements hang on walls, undusted and unattended. Their great objectives can be realized only when everybody feels part of this ministry. Teachers are particularly challenged to reveal the Christian message not only by word but also by every gesture of their behavior. It challenges us to transform ourselves into a living Gospel which students encounter and are inspired by. Where do we go? During my short visit and interaction with the principals of Catholic schools in the Diocese of Gallup I recognized some concerns. We need to coordinate our efforts of
- 4. providing Catholic Education to the children. The Diocesan Educational Office eventually would like to move in the direction that would unite us. Objectives at Local school level Objectives at Diocesan level 1 Raising of the academic standards (Intellectual) Developing vision and action plan from 2010 to 2015 2 Character formation (Human) Formation of Diocesan Council on Catholic School Education 3 Promotion of Catholic Christian values along with religious discipline (Religious). Tapping the financial resources locally, regionally and nationally 4 Enhancement of Apostolic zeal and Promotion of pastoral abilities Promotion of Catholic Identity and Education at Parish Levels I also noticed the tremendous potential all these institutions are gifted with in order to actualize them into reality. We are all striving towards the same mission, representing the one and same body of Christ. When we share a common mission in life we need to transcend our own self-interests. We need to move out of our small worlds to embrace a larger world of people, concerns and noble causes to which we dedicated our lives. In our commitment to this great cause we discover meaning in our life. We become streams for the thirsty travelers to drink. The only way to reach anywhere is to start from where you are. Hence we need to evaluate the potentials we have and develop them. Determination, hard work and perseverance are the steps of the stairway to great achievements. Everyone learns sooner or later that anything worth the name of
- 5. success is built on these three. A veteran circus man advised a novice flying trapeze performer: “Throw your heart over the bars and your body will follow”. Throw yourself into your endeavors and success will follow. I believe every one of our Catholic schools needs to dream great dreams. Exceptional talents and perseverance lead to great achievements. Few possess the former, but all of us can develop the latter virtue. Nothing can substitute for steadfast work; neither talent, nor education nor money. Great things are not necessarily attained by great persons, but they are surely achieved by one who perseveres. Small decisive actions every day are the strong bricks to build up the monumental edifice of success. Fr. Ravikiran Superintendant of Schools