Teaching role of the Laity

Abstract

Lay Catholics, both men and women are needed to devote their lives to teaching in primary and secondary schools. However it is of utmost importance for teachers to have the best training as good Catholic educators. It is the lay teachers, and indeed all lay persons, believers or not who will determine whether or not a school realizes its aims and accomplishes its objectives. The role of the Catholic laity is a role which the church regards as positive and enriching. The authentic image of the laity within the People of God has become increasingly clear. There has been a corresponding growth in the number of Catholic laity who work in the field of education. This has coincided with a notable decrease in the number of priests and Religious, both men and women, dedicated to teaching. It is of utmost importance that we know our role well as lay people in the church and as lay teachers. For this reason I decided to start my work on a study on Theology of the laity. We, as layman must sanctify our work, sanctify ourselves through our work and sanctify others through our work. About this I dedicated a chapter on the spirituality and call of the laity. The task of a teacher goes well beyond trans mission of knowledge. Students should see in their teachers the Christian attitude and behaviour that is often absent from the secular atmosphere in which they live. My love for education and my love for my students, seeing them as individuals created in the image of God, inspired me to do this piece of work.