Education must make children whole

Most Rev Charles Palmer-Buckle1

Tema, Feb. 25, GNA— Most Reverend Charles G. Palmer Buckle, Catholic Metropolitan Archbishop of Accra, says Ghanaian children would only become future masters of their environment and globally competitive if the educational system is designed to ensure a total human development.

'We of the catholic faith believe that to achieve the holistic development of the individual, five virtues, namely; obedience (and Self-discipline), wisdom and stature, the fear of God and the Love of one's neighbour, should form the pillars of our educational system.'

Speaking on the theme, 'Quality Education, the role of the Church and Government' at the 15th Year Anniversary Celebration and the 5th Speech and Prize Giving Day of Our Lady of Mercy Senior High School (OLAMS), Tema, Most Rev Buckle said those virtues which are inseparable serve as the Catholic identity in quality education.

According to the Accra Bishop, obedience is the first ingredient for any quality enterprise in education as character formation is the basic goal of education.

'To develop the students, the spirit of obedience, which leads to self-discipline, must be imbibed in them to enhance the self control drive in their lives.

Reverend Buckle urged parents, guardians and teachers to be models of obedience and self-discipline in all spheres of life; at home, at work or society, adding that, this ingredient is missing in our society today.

He advised the students to grow up in stature, which he said, is to grow up to be a healthy person, physically sound human being 'in other words, a healthy mind can only dwell in a healthy body'.

He said quality education requires that parents, guardians and teachers see to it that children and wards grow into healthy persons, physically, mentally and emotionally.

The Bishop advised teachers to ensure that children entrusted to them should be their paramount concern and also enforce strict personal hygiene among them.

He defined wisdom as the process of acquiring the relevant knowledge, skills and attitude to improve one's life, saying that, quality education should not only lead to good grades obtained in class but also spiritual fortitude, necessary to guide one through life.

Most Reverend Palmer Buckle said growing in the favour of God means that one should develop his or her spiritual faculties and also cultivate the right kind of relationship with God, adding that, this is done in the teaching of religious and moral education and appealed to the student to be God fearing.

According to him, the ultimate aim of education is to enable the person to become a useful citizen, who will be ready to society to the best of his or her ability.

'The duty of every teacher and parent is to make sure that their children grow in the favour of their fellow human beings and in the love for their neighbours so that Ghana will be a better place for all, rich and poor alike.'

Mr. Ashai Odamtten, Tema Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE), said the theme for the occasion is appropriate because President John Mahama has promised to pursue quality and accessible education and deemed it appropriate that OLAMS was championing the cause in the metropolis.

Mr. Clemence Yao Baba, Headmaster of OLAMS, appealed to the TMA, to as a matter of urgency, stop people from encroaching on their lands and bring the perpetrators to book.

Mr. Paul Victor Obeng, Special Presidential Advisor, Mrs. Roberta Mary Appau, Former Headmistress and Dr. Grace Andoh, Acting Board Chairperson OLAMS were presented with citations for their dedication to the school.

Deserving students were also presented with text books and certificates for exhibiting exceptional academic brilliance.

GNA