Christian Education Workshop held in Pietermaritzburg brings renewed focus and
inspires hope

Recapturing vision, laying sure foundations, strengthening the stakes and rebuilding the walls.

Wilberforce Academy South Africa (WA SA), and the Association of Christian Schools International Southern Africa (ACSI), hosted a Christian Education Workshop for Christian and Church school educators, principals, founders, governors, chaplains, alumni and parents on 31 July 2023. The venue was graciously provided by St John’s DSG in Pietermaritzburg.

The workshop focussed on ‘situating’ and plotting pathways for Christian independent schools and other types of Christian(-based) education (e.g. public schools and home education) towards Christ-centredness and neighbourly service.

“Education without values, as useful as it is, seems rather to make man a more clever devil.”

– C.S. Lewis

Debbie-Sue Blanks, ACSI Southern Africa Assistant Director, facilitated the first two sessions of the day, addressing both the ‘Recapturing of vision’ and ‘Building on a sure foundation’.

‘Where there is no prophetic vision, the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law.’

– Proverbs 29:18 (ESV)

Discussion topics included:

  • What does it really mean to be a Christian school?
  • What is the goal of Christian education?
  • How do we develop a vision statement?
  • What constitutes a sure foundation for a Christian education? and
  • What are the essential aspects of a school?

Debbie-Sue persuasively made the case that a distinctly Christian education should always aim to enable each child to find their purpose in Christ.  Her concluding comment was immensely profound, as she declared –

“What distinguishes a Christian education is the fact that:  Every policy, every document, every process, every practice is established and implemented through a Biblical lens.”

Strengthening the stakes

The next session was facilitated by Ryan Smit, WA SA Director, and looked at the outcomes of the first Christian Education Workshop of 2023, which was held in Randburg in April. The first workshop explored the challenges faced by Christian education in South Africa, what causes them and what solutions and strategies could be used to address these challenges. Participants in KZN had an opportunity to expanded on the existing list of challenges in Christian Education, adding their own experiences and views on the threats they are facing.

Ryan encouraged all to, “Take nothing for granted, and please don’t put your heads in the sand. The issues will not just disappear – they need to be dealt with.”

Andrew Marsh, COO at Christian Concern in the UK, shared about the experience of Christian schools in the UK and how they are responding to the threats and challenges facing them. Marsh shared a word of warning that many Christian schools have backed away from standing for Christian values in the UK and that we should not allow the same to happen in South Africa. He also shared a word of encouragement of how they are working with individuals and communities to start new Christian schools, built on Biblical foundations (worldview and educational philosophy).

This session ended with a Q&A panel where participants could ask the facilitators about pressing issues. The panel included: Debbie-Sue Blanks; Ryan Smit; Andrew Marsh; and Andrew Duminy, Advocate of the High Court of South Africa.

The final session of the workshop dealt with ‘Rebuilding the Walls’. Participants reflected in their small groups on questions like:

  • How close is your school’s vision to an ideal vision statement for a Christian school?
  • How would you know that you are achieving your vision?
  • Is your vision, mission, every process and policy developed and implemented, done through a Biblical lens?
  • What support do you need to assist you with the challenges you are facing in your school right now?

All to the glory of God

Ryan drew the day to a close by sharing Isaiah 41:8-14 – and the encouragement that above all, all we are and all we do, our identity in Christ comes first and should anchor our purpose/pursuits and actions to see the educational sphere transformed and impacted to the glory of Christ, our Lord.