Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Wellington (Fides Service) - Confidence in Catholics school education is growing among the people of New Zealand. According to a report by the NZ Catholic Education Office, the 2004 school year is starting out with new enthusiasm.
Public confidence in Catholic schools was boosted by a report issued last June by the Education Review Office, the government department which reviews and reports publicly on the quality of education in all New Zealand schools and early childhood services, including private schools, kura kaupapa Mäori (Mäori language immersion schools), special schools and ngä köhanga reo (Mäori language early childhood groups). The report highlighted that Catholic schools are performing well..
The report which praised Catholic school structures, personnel and curriculum also gave new inspiration to Catholic educators. A series of initiatives are being implemented during 2004, aimed at further progressively lift the quality of what is offered to students in Catholic schools. These include a new comprehensive national Catholic Special Character review programme for each school as well as initiatives to nurture prospective leadership for the schools..
The NZ Catholic Education Office said that the number of schools as well as the number of pupils continue to grow. Sancta Maria College, Auckland, the ninth Catholic school opened in nine years will soon have 1.000 students.
Many of New Zealand’s 240 Catholic schools in the nation’s major urban areas and provincial cities are close to full with more than 62,000 pupils. They are doing well and are well supported by Catholic parents. Catholics schools have a special religious character dimension and they believe in the concept of common good which if promoted and practised can enable each citizen help themselves at the same time help others to live a happy, productive life.
(PA) (Agenzia Fides 15/6/2004 lines 28 words 302)
