The United State of America (USA) Chapter of the St. Augustine’s Past Students’ Union (APSU) has reaf­firmed its support for the resto­ration and strengthening of the role of the Catholic Church in the educational management system of the country.

The reaffirmation of the sup­port was contained in a communi­que issued and signed by outgoing President of APSU USA, Mr Augustine Abotsi and the incom­ing President of APSU USA, Mr Thomas Andoh, and copied The Ghanaian Times yesterday.

The communique was titled, “Message of the Second National Catholic Education Forum at St. Bakhita Catholic Church in the Diocese of Koforidua.”

This follows the annual congress held by APSU USA in Greenbelt, Maryland, last month to deliberate on matters concerning St. Augustine’s College.

“The Congress unequivocally supports the restoration of the roles of General, Regional, and Local Managers in the administra­tion of Catholic education. This includes the promotion, appoint­ment, posting, and effective super­vision of personnel within Catholic schools,” the Union said.

“The Congress enthusiastically endorses the provision for perma­nent representation of the Catholic Church on the Ministerial Advisory Board of Education and the Gha­na Education Council, recognising the Church’s pivotal role as the sec­ond largest provider of education in the country,” it added.

According to the Union, the benefits that the country derived from mission-led schools were evident and indispensable to the holistic development of the youth of the country and its progress.

It said that the Catholic insti­tutions, including Catholic schools, were established on a strong moral foundation and environment that promoted discipline among stu­dents.

The Union also opined that the presence of dedicated religious leaders and education officers, as well as the availability of religious personnel for teaching, offered invaluable academic and spiritual guidance and enhanced religious and moral education in profound ways.

Religious personnel, the Union said, beyond academic instructions, led character-building programmes, religious services, and provided spiritual counselling, thereby con­tributing to the holistic develop­ment of students.

It also said that the active in­volvement of the Catholic Church in the management of schools fostered stronger engagement with alumni, who played critical roles in the development and mainte­nance of school infrastructure and programmes.

The Union, for instance, said that the global APSU communi­ty had contributed over USD 3 million towards infrastructure at St. Augustine’s College in the past five years.

“APSU USA stands as a proud partner in this ongoing legacy and reaffirms its commitment to sustained engagement, resource mobilisation, and collaboration for the benefit of our Alma Mater,” the Union said.

It urged the government to take immediate and decisive steps to restore and reinforce the Catholic Church’s managerial role in Catho­lic education.

The Union said that delay in the restoration and reinforcement of the Church’s managerial role in Catholic education would hinder the advancement of a holistic edu­cation in the country.

 BY TIMES REPORTER