Tema, Jan. 27, GNA- A week-long Catholic education week celebrations was launched at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic (OLAM) church at community one, Tema .

Mrs Augustina Arthur, headmistress of St. Augustine Catholic primary, Ashaiman who launched the week, on Sunday noted that the Catholic identifies education as an appropriate means to develop a person holistically, hence the establishment of schools throughout the country. She said in spite of relatively late participation of the Catholic Church in education in the country, it has made tremendous strides. She said the first Catholic University has taken off and we need to make it work successfully, adding that just last week the results of the SSSCE were announced, and among the public schools, eight Catholic schools, were in the first 10, while a Catholic school topped in the private schools results list.

Giving statistics of Catholic schools in the country, Mrs Arthur disclosed that there are 946 kindergartens, 2,363 primary, 855 JSS, 51 SSS, 48 Vocational/Technical, Seven special schools, eight Training Colleges.

She said Catholic education is practical and teaches academic excellence, sound moral values, which are essential requisites for better human life.

The headmistress explained that the theme seeks to suggest that all Catholic have contributions to make towards Catholic education, and in fulfilment of the theme, "we want to involve the entire church and the public in the celebrations". Other activities outlined include processing by teachers and pupils, debate by students and clean up campaigns. 27 Jan 04