EDINBURGH - 1 February 2008 - 360 words
Scotland
celebrates Catholic Education Week
The Catholic community in Scotland are celebrating the achievements
of Catholic education this week 27 January to 2nd February .
This year's celebration has a particular significance, as 2008
marks the 90th anniversary of the 1918 Education Act which initiated
the transfer of Catholic schools over to local education authority
management.
An important part of Catholic Education Week is the annual Cardinal
Winning Education Lecture which takes place in the Bute Hall,Main
Building, University of Glasgow on Saturday 2 February. This year
it will be delivered by First Minister Alex Salmond and will be
attended by members of the Scottish Catholic Hierarchy, the Catholic
Education Commission, teachers, parents and clergy. The First
Minister will speak on the theme: "Celebrating Catholic Education
in Scotland: reflections on partnership from 1918 to date, and
beyond." The First minister, will reflect on the 90th anniversary
of the 1918 Education Act, highlight the achievements of Catholic
schools, celebrate their distinctiveness and look to their ongoing
development in Scotland.
Each year the Catholic Education Commission selects a theme to
provide a focus for special events, activities and work in homes,
schools and parishes. This year's theme - 'Teaching Values for
Life' - is intended to strike a particular chord with parents
who are responsible for instilling values in their children.
Parents are encouraged to consider how best to help them to understand
and embrace such values as tolerance, honesty, forgiveness, and
modesty.
Teachers are encouraged to consider how, through the learning
experiences they offer, young people will acquire the values which
are important to their own lives and to the welfare of our Scottish
nation - the values of Wisdom, Justice, Compassion and Integrity.
These values should be at the heart of the curriculum in Scotland's
schools.
Commenting on the week, the President of the Bishops' Conference
of Scotland, Cardinal Keith O'Brien said: "We are grateful
for the First Minister's affirmation that Scottish Catholic education
is in such good shape. We all know that many approximately 120,000
parents choose to enrol their children in Catholic schools because
they offer quality education and formation which is characterised
by an explicit set of values and a distinctive ethos. It is encouraging
to know that the First Minister and the Scottish Government will
ensure that the choice of Catholic schooling will continue to
be available to parents in Scotland."
Commenting on Catholic Education Week, Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary
for Education and Lifelong Learning said: "Catholic schools
form an important part of Scotland,s rich tapestry of education,
providing firm foundations in learning and life for thousands
of children.
"Faith schools instil their pupils with a strong and positive ethos and pride in their school. Combining the opportunity to learn more about their faith, high quality teaching and a comprehensive and wide-ranging curriculum, all adds up to a very positive learning experience for many pupils.
"Catholic schools offer choice and diversity for parents and communities, enrich the education options available for pupils and are an integral and valued part of Scotland,s education system.
Responding to the Education Minister's
remarks, Michael McGrath, Director of the Scottish catholic Education
service said: "I thank Fiona Hyslop, for her gracious comments
on the valued contribution of Catholic schools to Scotland's education
system. During this Catholic Education Week, it is gratifying
to note that the Scottish Government recognises the very positive
learning experience which Catholic schools offer to young people."
Source: SCMO
© Independent Catholic News 2008
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