The Definition of a Catholic School: A Catholic Educational Policy Perspective
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Date
2019
Authors
Hambulo, Farrelli
Cheyeka, Austin
Milingo-Kaulule, Tomaida L. C.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
The University of Zambia Press
Abstract
The motivation for this article is drawn from the current status quo regarding some key stakeholders of Catholic education who lack sufficient understanding of ‘the definition of a Catholic school’ or exactly what the term ‘Catholic School’ entails. This is because they mostly define a ‘Catholic School’ in limited or restricted terms or just as ‘one run by the Catholic Church’. In as much as such a definition is somewhat correct regarding that which a ‘Catholic school’ is, it does not give a holistic or adequate meaning of a ‘Catholic School’. Further, such a definition is limited and lacks a holistic definition of such schools because they are complexities involving various key features which combining to form the true identity of ‘Catholic Schools’ worldwide. Due to the current status quo regarding the insufficient understanding of what is meant by the term ‘Catholic School’ by some key stakeholders of Catholic education in Zambia, a desk review was conducted to investigate exactly what is meant by the term ‘Catholic School’ in order to promote a holistic or sufficient understanding of this aspect among key stakeholders of Catholic education at all educational levels as well as others interested in the welfare of such education institutions in Zambia. The study was a qualitative descriptive survey design and was grounded in document analysis of Catholic educational policies, key books and other documents providing commentaries on Catholic education in Zambia and worldwide. The study revealed that the idiosyncratic features of Catholic Schools provide the basis for their unique identity globally and it is such features which combine to provide a basis for the sufficient understanding of the meaning of the term ‘Catholic School’. The study also revealed that it is the various features of Catholic education which combine to enhance a holistic understanding of the actual meaning of the term ‘Catholic School’.
Description
Keywords
Catholic , Definition , Features , Education , Policy