Applications for Church schools to follow existing criteria

James De Giorgio

Dec 17th 2008, 20:11

What does Joseph Schembri expect, a Catholic school to admit atheists and agnostics? And I publicly challenge his assertion that fundamentalist muslims are allowed, a child HAS to have a baptism certificate, a catholic one to be precise.

It is an undeniable fact that boys' church schools have the highest rate of success by far. Or is it wrong that some schools manage to do better than others?

Jake Mamo

Dec 11th 2008, 09:37

@ Chris Attard

That is a very unfair comment for many church voluntary organizations. I have been doing voluntary work for the past 5 years u qatt ma tlabna 1 cent !!! And many work is done in the Church School I help in ...and yes "there's no money in it."

Joseph Schembri

Dec 10th 2008, 22:43

"Catholic schools in Malta have been teaching children of all beliefs since time immemorial". Let me correct that slightly: Children of all beliefs except atheists and agnostics.

In church schools it is OK if a child is a fundamentalist Muslim who staunchly believes in the stoning to death of some 'sinful' women but it is not permitted for him or her to be a Secular Humanist. (look this up, there are young teenagers who know what this means, but to put it simply it is perhaps the most logical and humane 'non-belief system' in the world)

What I wrote above is not an opinion. I happen to know this as a fact because I was 'educated' in a Catholic school.

K. Mifsud

Dec 10th 2008, 19:50

@ Franco Farrugia

You "stop all donations coming from that family"? What, you mean you yourselves deternime what donations you receive?

And how on earth would you do that? I just can't think of a way.... except.... if the 'donations' are not 'donations' at all - if they are obligatory. Might that perhaps be the case?

As for me, I wouldn't know. I only spent most of my life attending a church school.

Franco Farrugia

Dec 10th 2008, 19:16

@ Louise Vella -

Our gymnasium IS ALREADY hosting a very important part of the apostolic work that the Jesuits do with refugees.

We also have young immigrants from time to time in our classes. Due to their conditions, they cannot attend school normally as the Maltese do, that is, on a full-time basis.

@ Chris Attard - You simply have no idea what you are talking about.For your information, many are the Church schools who help the students in need. A case in point: as soon as they hear that a Maltese student's parent has passed away, the schools stop all donations coming from that family - and also send back any donation that was received! This has been going on for donkey's years, at SAC as well.

@ Henry Debono - Religious schools have been catering for all kinds of beliefs since time immemorial.

Gavril Flores

Dec 10th 2008, 17:20

as some commentors mentioned st Aloysius, I think the school already has some good projects related to integration... independently of religion. In fact some 2 years ago I remember the post sec doing a program targeted to minors asylum seekers

Chris Attard

Dec 10th 2008, 15:27

Well church schools won't do any of those things Ms Vella..there's no money it.

louise vella

Dec 10th 2008, 14:12

I recommend that St Aloysius' college should take 5 children per class from families with a Christian background among the community of refugees, asylum seekrs and illegal immigrants.

I further recommend that St Aloysius' college opens its sports grounds and gym facilities to children from refugee, asylum seekers and illegal immigrant background, whatever their religion, because these activities do not depend on religion.

henry debono

Dec 10th 2008, 13:57

@ Louise

children of refugees, asylum seekers and illegal immigrants are usually muslims. They can't go to catholic schools.

louise vella

Dec 10th 2008, 11:49

Church schools should cater for the most vulnerable and under-privileged children in society, such as, children coming from a poor background, children in Homes and children of refugees, asylum seekers and illegal immigrants.