DO NOT ONLY CONCENTRATE ON ACADEMIC EXCELLENCY BUT ALSO ON FORMATION OF GOOD CHARACTER: Archbishop Msusa Urges Catholic Schools in Malawi
The Bishop Chairman for the Catholic Education Commission of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM), Archbishop Thomas Luke Msusa, has challenged Catholic Schools in the country to form and produce morally upright students and citizens of the country in addition to the achievement of high academic performances.
He said this during the Annual General Meeting of the Association of Catholic Head Teachers in Malawi which is taking place at La Riviera Lodge in Mangochi. Bishop Msusa said it is a pity that a lot of educated people in the country are involved in corruption, bad leadership, and other malpractices which indicates a great need for change in the education system.
“Education that does not shape character, does not polish personalities, does not influence desirable and morally licit behaviors is not education at all. When concentration is only on academics, we lose out quite much. Good education should focus on integral formation and holistic development of all human faculties rendering a person ready to face life with all its challenges in an Ethical and Responsible manner.” Said Archbishop Msusa
He continued that schools should consider introducing critical issues of today’s society like Corruption and Care for the Environment to students as integral parts of education.
Archbishop Msusa, who is also the Archbishop of Blantyre Archdiocese said to achieve this, Catholic schools should make sure students participate in Eucharistic celebrations for them to experience Christ who forms character, introduce religious education, and pay attention to Spiritual and moral development of the students.
On her part, Mrs. Linley Chavula, the Chairperson of the Association and also Head Mistress of Mary Mount Secondary School, said as administrators of the schools, they have been challenged and they will brainstorm on how to further the issue of moral formation of the students in the schools.
She therefore asked for support from parents for the schools to achieve the desired goal of producing students and citizens of integrity, adding that schools face a lot of challenges in disciplining students mainly due to technology which teaches children foreign cultures.