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| Rt. Rev. Maurice Muhatia |
The Commission for Education & Religious Education of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) is planning to develop a scholarship account for orphans and bright children from poor families who cannot afford education.
This was one of the three resolutions passed during the joint forum of its kind that took place at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa – (CUEA) in Nairobi from 31st March to 4thApril 2014. Other resolutions were the possibility of fundraising and support to the children of catechists who in most cases cannot afford education, forming chaplaincies for the schools and having priests who are teachers to assist the head-teachers in running the schools.
The forum brought together the Education Secretaries and Principals of Catholic public sponsored and private schools in Kenya and was chaired by the Bishop Chairman of the Commission for Education & Religious Education Rt. Rev. Maurice Muhatia Makumba of Nakuru Diocese, assisted by Bishop Member of the Commission Rt. Rev. Bishop Paul Kariuki of Embu Diocese.
In his key note address, Bishop Muhatia thanked the participants for turning out in great numbers for the meeting and also for the great noble job they are doing in their respective dioceses and schools especially in ensuring that the Catholic schools not only excel in academics but also remain truly Catholic; “for this we are truly grateful. 31 % of the top 100 primary schools in 2013 KCPE were Catholic public sponsored and Catholic private while 30% appeared among the top 100 schools in 2013 KCSE,” he said.
The Bishop also talked about some of the leadership challenges facing Catholic Education which includes the Catholic Identity i.e. what it means to be a leader of a Catholic school in Kenya in the 21st Century.
The second challenge of the Catholic education is ensuring that the Christian message and Catholic vision permeates the school’s curriculum and culture. “Since Christianity is a way of life, then Catholic schools should equally be a way of life,” he explained.
Another challenge he pointed out is reconciling the disconnect between Catholic Mission and the realities of 21st Century; i.e. the social, religious, political and moral challenges of the 21st century are a great threat to Catholic education.
He also talked about leadership preparation and competencies as another challenges telling the participants that as education leaders they are overwhelmed with an ever expanding list of administrative duties and responsibilities.
Among other issues that were discussed at the meeting included the performances of the schools, general issues of running the schools, bills/laws affecting education, how to improve discipline in the catholic schools, how to take care of school properties and finally how to engage government on schools development.
Through the Commission for Education and Religious Education, the Church in Kenya runs 30% of all educational institutions in Kenya including special education facilities. The Church has over 8,000 educational institutions, out of which, 5,600 are Primary Schools, 1,900 Secondary Schools, Five (5) Colleges and a University.
Source: Waumini Communications, KCCB and AMECEA Social Communications