Reasons of Non-Catholics studying in Catholics Schools

Balindong, Sahania B.

Goc-ong, Justinee D.

Tinggas, Rojean E.

Grade 12-St. John

I. ABSTRACT
The catholic schools noticed the emerging number of non-catholic

students interested to study in catholic schools. This interpretive study aims

to deliberately compile the primary reasons of non-catholic students for

studying there. This is to give inquisitive people a perception why there are

students who are not catholics studying in a catholic system.

The catholic schools presume to provide students the needed morals

and values. Students claim the reasons of choosing catholic school over non-

catholic due to the respect for their parents' decisions. Furthermore, the

practices of the individuality of the students are believed to be developed

within catholic schools.

The belief of the students to the decision of their parents is as

strong as their belief to the catholic school's ability of nurturing their

responsibilities to the students and of providing every non-catholic student's

needs. Due to increasing number of non-catholic students in the lists of

catholic schools, inviduals expects a better attributes.

This finding suggests that all non-catholic students who are

studying in catholic schools have the thought of having the knowledge not

only in academics but also in terms of faith, values and morals.

II. INTRODUCTION
An emerging issue for Catholic schools is their increasing

enrolment of students who are not Catholics. The issue requires Catholic

schools to find the best way to express their Catholicity in a changing

 educational environment. Some people notice the enrolment of students who

are not Catholics in Catholic schools to be a hindrance to the Catholicity of

the school (Chamber, 2012).

The Non-Catholic parents choose the Catholic system because they

perceive them to respect students and to emphasize learning and moral

values. Catholic school have allow and educationally sound reason to try to

attract non-Catholic students and should insist on parent’s right to choose the

school they want (Schillo, 1980)

This study intends to focus on the reasons of non-Catholics

studying in Catholic schools. This aims to compile all the answers of the non-

Catholics on the questions given to them. This study will help other people to

give them insights why there are non-Catholics in Catholic schools that the

religion is not in line on their beliefs.

III. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Catholic schools are parochial schools or education ministries of the

Roman Catholic church but they found out that instead Catholic students

must have high population it seems that non-Catholic students has the higher

number of students. More non-Catholic student choose Catholic schools that

practice every students to live in Catholic faith, which is different from their

beliefs. (McGuire and Faller, 2015)

According to the research, the reasons why non-Catholic students

choosing Catholic schools is that their parents want them to be in Catholic

schools because even their religion is different from the practice of what
Catholic schools have but still they teach every students not only educational

lessons but also to strengthen the faith of the individual. Catholic schools

nurture every students to have moral values and especially when talking

about respect. (Schillo, 1980).

In the school system of the Archdiocese of Omaha (Nebraska), the

largest number of non-Catholic students mostly come from poor and black

families. Other non-Catholics been enrolled in “middle class” or “elite”

Catholic schools. They interviewed the parents why they choose the school

system that is different from their religion and according to the parents, most

of them choose Catholic school because even their religion is different from

the religion but the school taught their children to live in a prayer and have

faith. Even their religion is not Catholic as long as their children will preserve

their religion and strengthen their beliefs it is enough because they did not

only focus on the educational learnings of their children but also the moral

values and faith of themselves (Schillo, 1980)

The author of the article stated all the information coming from the

parents that we have interviewed on their study. The author wants to give

insights to other people that non-Catholic students have their reasons why

they choose Catholic schools. The author wants to give us information that

they really studied these cases to give a legit information to the people

questioning why there are non-Catholics in Catholic school.

IV. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
The impact of non-Catholic students in the catholic schools of a large eastern

diocese is to investigate change, planned or unplanned, which has occurred

in Catholic schools because of non-Catholic students in attendance. Catholic

parents and non-Catholic parents patronize Catholic schools for basically the

same reasons; the academic program and teaching of moral and spiritual

values are ranked first and second, respectively, as primary reasons for

parents selecting Catholic schools. No major changes have occurred in school

religion programs, prayer services, or sacramental programs because of non-

Catholic children, furthermore, the majority of respondents indicate they do

not wish to see future change occur. Social studies curricula, parental

involvement, tuition fees, and discipline remain unchanged despite the

presence of non-Catholic children. Results of the study imply that, although

Catholic schools should keep doing what they do so well, planned change

will enable them to maintain the integrity of their religiously oriented

educational program and still educate non-Catholic children. This topic

concentrates on non-Catholic children in Catholic schools, additional research

is recommended on Catholic school enrollment trends, academic

achievements, and attitudes. (Hickey, Catherine Tighe, 1983)

Citation:
Hickey, Catherine Tighe, "The Impact of Non-Catholic Students in the

Catholic Schools of A Large Eastern Diocese" (1983)