National award winner condemns neglect of teaching Moral Science and Catechism

A prominent writer and winner of the National Sahitya Academy Award, Joseph Macwan, urged schools not to neglect Catechism and moral science teaching, for character building and forming of children's life.

While addressing the members of the Conference of Religion India Ahmedabad diocesan unit, at Anand in Gujarat, Macwan said, "Catechism and moral science teaching –– the most important subjects for character building and forming our children for life –– are also the most neglected subjects in our schools."

Macwan, speaking of his personal experience working as a teacher for 36 years in St. Xavier' High School at Anand, said, "Our schools are most concerned with finishing the syllabus and attaining academic excellence. We do not give importance to values in our education. We give knowledge but we don't form our children."

Exhorting the importance of having teachers with good qualities, the Christian enumerated: "A teacher should be a student for life. He should be a person who understands his students. A teacher is a worshiper of knowledge. He is a guide, friend and philosopher to his students. He is not a judge but a gardener looking after his students with love and care. And finally a teacher is a bridge between the old and the new generation."

Speaking on the theme 'Importance of Reading and Literature in Value–oriented Education', Macwan added, "Good reading (literature) gives us noble thoughts and leads us to excellent practical life."

Answering a question on the spread of counter–values among school children and youth, a Christian news quoted Macwan saying, "We need to train our teachers not just to impart bookish knowledge, but also to prepare them for life with moral and religious values."