By Obegi Malack
obegimalack@gmail.com
Nairobi Catholic Archbishop Philip Subira Anyolo has called upon Catholic schools principals in Kenya to create a culture of care in support of students’ growth in faith, morals and values so as to make them uphold the dignity of everyone.
Speaking during the official opening of the seventh edition of Kenya’s Catholic Schools’ Principals Association (CaSPA) conference at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA), Archbishop Anyolo said values are central in Competency-Based Curriculum(CBC) and the Catholic schools principals’ roles go beyond the professional mandate to a personal vocation.
The archbishop, who was the chief guest, said parents’ greatest responsibility is growth of their children in faith for successful future of family, church and society.
He said Catholic bishops will always be ready to support the principals in implementing the value-based education, adding they should focus on fatherhood, responsibility, accountability and the love for God and neighbour.
He pointed out that although Catholic schools do not demand adherence to the catholic faith, those who decide to cross over should be guided to deepen their faith and remain faithful to catholic beliefs in order to inform, form and transform.
“It is the task of the Catholic schools’ leadership to ensure that a distinctive Catholic identity is maintained by helping parents and all staff and students understand what this identity is all about,” Archbishop Anyolo said.
He pointed out that they are called upon to allow the various cultural expressions to coexist and to promote dialogue that fosters a peaceful schooling community.
“Mother Church is reminding us that Catholic schools are families, communities to thousands of children. Therefore, we are called to learn how to live and relate to others in the spirit of mutual respect,” he added.
Parents and the teachers, according to the Bishop, should be empowered by principals so that they can effectively educate their children on such matters as human sexuality, radicalization, drug and alcohol abuse, and on the dangers of comprehensive sexuality of education.
“Witnessing to the teachings of Jesus Christ is an important aspect of making schools centres of spiritual formation, character development and lifelong competence. It is through witnessing that our students will develop in a holistic manner and desirable character,” he emphasized.
Bishop Anyolo further advised that to achieve character formation in learners, there is a need for a culture that protects children and vulnerable adults from all forms of abuse.
The conference theme was “Catholic Schools: Centres of Spiritual Formation, Character Development & Lifelong Competencies for a Happier Society”.
CaSPA chairman Nicholas Muasya said the principals are doing a lot in spite of rise of commodity prices, since the school fees has not increased. There is also the pressure of 100 per cent transition.
According to Muasya, the principals are ready for CBC even though guidelines are not clear and expect the ministry to hold more training sessions.
He said this year’s theme challenges the teachers to go beyond giving knowledge and skills to students and build good character plus spiritual growth and competence.
The principals were also challenged to preach peace during this election year due to high temperatures in politics and to lead from the front.
The conference was sponsored by Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (KCCB) Commission for Education and Religious Education, with the aim of equipping teachers with values and morals in faith formation.
