The Most Rev. Charles Gabriel Palmer-Buckle, the Archbishop of Cape Coast, has challenged all stakeholders in education to put much effort into their work and educate children not only in formal education but also in faith formation.
He admonished stakeholders in Catholic education to practice true faith formation since Catholic education was synonymous with catechesis and faith formation.
Addressing dignitaries, stakeholders, and participants on March 12, 2025, the second day of the 2nd National Catholic Education Forum, currently taking place in Koforidua on the topic: The Ghana Education System: Prospects and Challenges, he said stakeholders of education included the child, the parent/guardian, the religious leaders/teachers, the State and God/plan of God.
Archbishop Palmer-Buckle said, “Every child is good; it is up to the parents and educators to bring out the potential in him/her.”
Stating that parenting was crucial in the education of children, he advised Parish Priests to consider encouraging the Pastoral Councils or advisory boards of their respective Parishes to look at the human resources of the Church once or twice a year.
He also asked Parish Priests to be involved themselves in the building of the youth and children of the Church.
Saying that education had five important points in which the child must be made to grow, the Archbishop of Cape Coast asked educators to encourage the child to learn the act of obedience because obedience and submission to higher authority lead the child to become self-disciplined.
He suggested that alumni associations should be allowed to support and guide students who are currently in school as they are as important as the Parent Teacher Association (PTA).
The Archbishop encouraged the formation of the Association of Catholic Teachers in Parishes and also for educators to see the need for Catholics and stand up for their faith.
He called on all Catholic stakeholders to come together to preserve the Catholic faith in Catholic educational institutions and bring back the spirit of sacrifice and volunteerism which seem to be lost.
Mentioning wisdom as another important point, he said, “Wise people teach wisdom and not people with high ranks or titles,” adding that wisdom is a cultural heritage handed over to people.
He said growing in stature was another point that was essential in the education of children, elaborating on the saying “A healthy mind lives in a healthy body.”
He added that it is not just about the physical appearance but also about the growth in the consistent personality of the individual.
He said growing school children in the favour of God was a spiritual component in education and should not be overlooked, saying that building children around God was important for the growth of the child.
The five-day forum which closes on March 15, 2025, is being attended by members of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, Catholic Professors, Principals of Colleges of Education, heads of Catholic Higher Institutions, teachers, teacher trainees, Seminary formators, and students.
Opened on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, the forum is on the theme: “Catholic Education for Integral Development; Shaping a Resilient and an Inclusive Ghana.”
By Celestine Edem Gbologah//Newswatchgh.com
