The fourth Sunday of September each year is Education Day, emphasising the importance of education for personal and societal development. The Catholic Church has been running schools in Hong Kong for over 180 years, making it one of the largest educational organisations in the city. This work is assisted by the Catholic Education Office, and as of 31 August 2022, there are a total of 249 Catholic primary schools, secondary schools, and kindergartens across Hong Kong, including schools operated by various religious congregations and Caritas-Hong Kong.
In terms of educational philosophy and service, what is the difference between Catholic schools and schools operated by other religious groups, or those with no religious affiliation? Can the general public distinguish whether students come from Catholic schools based on their performance?
The educational mission of Catholic schools is rooted in the teachings of Jesus, emphasizing love, forgiveness, and service. Besides knowledge in subjects like Chinese, English, and mathematics, Catholic schools also cultivate spiritual development through ethics and religious classes. They actively promote holistic education, especially in helping students establish the right values and empathy, enabling them to distinguish right from wrong and care for the marginalised communities.
The majority of students in Catholic schools are not Catholics, but the schools integrate the five core values of Catholic education—Truth, Justice, Love, Life, and Family—into various subjects and impart them to students. Through the example and instruction of the school staff and by an environment of trust and care, Catholic schools create a safe and nurturing space for students to learn and grow, encouraging them to become responsible and upright citizens.
The theme of the Education Day this year is from the gospel of this Sunday: “Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last” [Matthew 20:16]. In the parable of the labourers in the vineyard, the workers who came later received the same wage as those who came earlier, causing dissatisfaction among the early workers who considered it unfair. Feelings of “unfairness” often arise because we tend to see only the surface of things or consider only one perspective. If we apply this situation to schools today, for example, some students excel in academics while others are of average abilities.
Have we ever considered the reasons behind this? Could family circumstances or other factors be affecting the students? Many schools have made it clear to students that “learning is about grades” for entering the university and future careers. However what is more important is helping students to realise their full potential. We need a diverse and multifaceted society. If we only produce professionals like doctors, lawyers, and accountants, society’s development will lose its balance.
In the vineyard of schools, every student’s efforts should be valued and acknowledged. A person’s success or failure should not be determined by the exam. “First” and “last” should not matter when we appreciate and integrate in love. SE
