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Education Department
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Education - the major pillar of Catholic Church in Ethiopia Situation analysis Some Facts on Education in Ethiopia
Response of ECC to the Education Sector The Ethiopian Catholic Church began modern education in Ethiopia even before the Ethiopian government. Lazarist Missionaries established the first Catholic School in Ethiopia, in 1845 under the leadership of Mgr. Justin de Jacobis in Northern Tigray in the village of Alitena. The establishment of the school was related to the foundation of the Apostolic Vicariate of Abyssinia to Northern Tigray in 1845. Since the time, the Ethiopian Catholic Church founded its schools; it has given enormous services through both formal and non-formal education. Of 311, which are KG, 1-4, 5-8, 9-10, and 11-12, and tertiary level, the majority of the primary schools are found in the rural areas. According to the new structure of the education system in the country, there are 311 primary to tertiary levels which consists of 2,186 teachers and 83,686 students in more than 205 Catholic educational institutions in the country.
Objectives of Catholic Education Catholic education commits itself to develop students to become: Citizens who: v Accept and affirm themselves and others towards becoming fully integrated persons. v Value life, health and the dynamic processes of creation as young maturing persons. v Have developed a personal relationship with their God and seek to nurture this relationship in their daily lives. v Respect differences among people's cultures while recognizing the oneness of the global family to build peace. v Understand their history and culture and value the humanizing aspects of our national and African heritage. v Are aware of and respond to the development needs of their nation. v Have acquired skills in the valuing process to prepare them to become free and responsible adults. v Practice leadership skills. v Express their unique identity for self-fulfillment and service to others
Characteristics of Catholic Schools · The quality and the discipline of the Catholic schools is considered to be better because of better facilities, qualified teachers, high discipline of teachers and students · The majority of the Catholic schools serve the poor people living in remote areas. · Girls are encouraged to go to schools. Non-formal education is provided to adults · Catholic schools provide support to very poor students (in buying school materials and covering school fees)
ECC Strategies of Education Sector Development · Provide technical support to help Diocesan Catholic Secretariats in upgrading the standard of teaching in Catholic schools, mainly through training programs for teachers and administrators. · Help facilitate experience sharing among Catholic educational institutions of different dioceses (through organizing meetings, seminars, workshops, etc., of teachers and school administrators/headmasters) in cooperation with the Diocesan Education Officers. · Enhance the database of Catholic education institutions. · Focus on non-formal education including functional adult literacy · Review and assess the current situation of the Catholic school system in light of new developments and policies, as well as strategies for the educational system of the Church. · Facilitate financial twinning of Catholic schools with educational institutions abroad. · Help facilitate the Catholic Church's goal of establishing Catholic institutions of tertiary education, particularly in the area of Teacher Training. · Represent the Catholic schools with the Government, and search for ways and means of strengthening good working relations between all Government offices and the Catholic educational institutions and explore further ways of cooperation. Address:
Ethiopian Catholic Secretariat |
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©2005 Ethiopian Catholic Secretariat |