By Arnold Neliba
NAIROBI, AUGUST 15, 2023 (CISA)-Principals of Catholic-sponsored institutions and education stakeholders have today August 15 commenced their 8th Edition of the Catholic Schools Principals Association Conference (CaSPA).
The conference under the theme ‘Catholic Schools: Hubs of Moral Values & Faith Formation for the Whole School Community in Respect for Human Dignity’ and attended by hundreds of delegates from across the country was officially opened by Bishop Paul Kariuki Njiru in his capacity as the Chairman for the Commission for Education and Religious Education (CERE) of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB).
“I welcome you all to this conference with great hope and expectation that we shall utilize the three days we are going to be here to chart the future of our Catholic Educational Institutions to become centres of excellence in the holistic formation of learners,” said Bishop Kariuki in his keynote remark.
In his address, the bishop highlighted issues around drugs, alcohol and substance abuse, cultism, LGBTQ and uncontrolled exposure of children to explicit content as some of the threats confronting learners in today’s world.
Stressing the debate on LGBTQ, the bishop cautioned that the ruling by the Supreme Court allowing LGBTQ groups to form associations is an attempt to legalize homosexuality and same-sex unions through the back door in the country.
“I urge you to remain vigilant because agents of LGBTQ, now emboldened by the ruling of the Supreme Court are targeting our schools as their recruitment bases. As we continue to push for the ruling to be overturned, I urge you to do your part to safeguard learners in your schools from this modern-day threat to the institution of the family,” he cautioned the principals.
The bishop recommends strengthening chaplaincy services and formation programs to help deliver value-based education as suggested by the Presidential Working Party on Education Reform, which recently submitted its report to President William Ruto.
“I invite you all to interact with the report as you are the key stakeholders in its implementation,” he weighed on the report titled ‘Transforming Education, Training and Research for Sustainable Development in Kenya’ calling for its quick implementation to end challenges facing the education sector.
“Please pay attention as various resource persons come to this auditorium to make their presentations. You should aspire to leave this place a better and well-grounded teacher than when you came to this conference,” he added.
The CaSPA conference, which is ongoing at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) will run up to Thursday, August 17, 2023.
