MALAWI: Formation of Good Character, Key in Academics: Archbishop Msusa on Catholic Schools in Malawi
Archbishop Thomas Luke Msusa, uring the Annual General Meeting of Association of Catholic Head Teachers in Malawi
Stella Zulu
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 achievement of high academic performances.
He said this during the Annual General Meeting of 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 indicate 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 the 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 in the curriculum critical issues of today’s society such as corruption and care for the environment so that students receive integral education.
Most Rev. Msusa who is also the Archbishop for Blantyre Archdiocese said to achieve this, Catholic schools should make sure students participate in Eucharistic celebration 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 Chairperson of the Association and Head Mistress of Mary Mount Secondary School said that, as administrators of schools, they have really 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 in order for the Catholic schools to achieve the desired goal of producing students and citizens of integrity, adding that schools face a lot of challenges on disciplining students mainly due to technology which teaches children foreign cultural elements.
