The mission of the Catholic Church in education is unattainable without the spiritual and pastoral component, says Fr. Dr. Leonard Namuhumba
The mission of the Catholic Church in education is unattainable without the spiritual and pastoral component, says Fr. Dr. Leonard Namuhumba
By Kwilanzi Newspaper Zambia
(KNZ) Staff Writer
In a statement Thursday, April 9, 2026, Fr. Namuhumba for the Catholic Church Education Office has clarified on the Matero Boys Secondary School suspension of pupils as follows:
1. The program at Matero Boys Secondary School which some learners did not attend for various reasons, was an ordinary school program. All learners were supposed to attend this program on 2nd April, 2026, and thereafter break off for a few days.
2. The program was availed to parents in writing by the Deputy Head Teacher. The letter reads in part: “All pupils must be in school and will knock off at 13hrs. There will be a serious indictment to pupils who will miss school tomorrow.”
3. Some pupils did not attend for various reasons, and it is the responsibility of the School Management to find out why they did not attend. Was this inordinate?
4. The School Management has an obligation to study all the reasons being advanced by those who did not attend the program. This procedure is not primitive and those who “have moved away” from such processes may not know what they are saying. This procedure is in accordance with the school rules. These rules, hewn from Catholic ethos, are known and have been consented to by pupils and parents. There are no qualms about it!
5. By the way! Why does the Catholic Church establish schools? The Catholic Church establishes schools to provide an opportunity to God’s people to expand their knowledge, develop skills and values but also to explore their passions, build community as well as strengthen their self – awareness of God through Jesus Christ.
6. Catholic schools aim at educating the whole person; physical, emotional, mental, social, and spiritual. The head, heart and hands. The Matero School program was part of the whole core motive for Catholic education.
7. A Catholic school, thus, is guided by clear ethos that displays distinct characteristics of Catholic education which differentiates it from non-Catholic Schools.
8. Parents “have the right to choose a school that will provide an education for their children which is in keeping with their own values and beliefs,” (Empowerment through Education, 2004).
9. It is the responsibility of the School Administration and all the teachers to create “this unique Christian school climate,” (Catholic Schools, 1988), and the Matero Boys Secondary School Management are doing just that.
10. Again, the Mission of the Catholic Church in education is unattainable without the spiritual and pastoral component.
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