Catholic social teaching and formation of persons in tertiary institutions: a case study in the catholic university college of Ghana.

A close look at the nature and careful study of Catholic Social Teaching (CST) raises the assumption that CST plays a key role in the formation of the human person. However, given the available information, it appears little or nothing has been done concerning, specifically, CST and formation of persons. It is believed that CST, which is one of the taught courses offered in CUCG, plays a key role in the formation of the students during their formative years in CUCG. The problem this study sought to address was the perception that the study of CST is of no relevance especially to the students who are non-Catholics and, again, not studying Religious Studies. Thus, the relevance of CST as a taught course to the formation of the students of CUCG has been questioned. The objective of the study was to determine the role of CST as a taught course in the formation of the students of CUCG. The study employed the mixed research method of research. The researcher used simple random and purposeful sampling to select participants for the study. One hundred respondents from the current and past students of CUCG were selected. In addition, four (4) CST lecturers of CUCG were interviewed to solicit their opinion on the issue under study. Hence, the sample size for the study was 104. The researcher, also, used unstructured interview and questionnaire to gather data for the study. The study is useful in the sense that it serves as enlightenment for those who are ignorant of CST and the nature of Catholic education. It helps renew debate on the function or task of education in contemporary times. The study serves as a working document for all organisations, institutions, associations, groups, or individuals that are into the formation and development of human persons. It was found out that CST is all about principles and moral values which when applied would help shape human attitudes and form character. The field findings showed that CST as a taught course in CUCG has as its duty the function of instilling moral values in the students of CUCG. The field findings indicated that the role that CST as a taught course in CUCG plays in the formation of the students is, also, evident in the benefits that the students derive from studying CST. It was, furthermore, found out that CST as a taught course in CUCG has as its duty the function of contributing to forming students who would become better employees in the job-market. Based on the findings of the study it was recommended that: if possible, another semester of instruction in CST in CUCG should be added to the already existing one semester, so that it would be studied for two semesters; and it would be of great help if CST is offered, if not as a main course, at least as a supplementary course in all High Schools and Tertiary institutions run by the Catholic Church. On the basis of the findings of the study it was concluded that CST as a taught course in CUCG plays a key role in the holistic formation of the students, thereby, making the study of CST relevant to the formation of students. In other words, the role of CST in, and the relevance of the study of CST to, the formation of persons cannot be overemphasized.

Source: KNUST