EDUCATION
STRENGTHENING
CHRISTIAN
EDUCATION
We chat to director, Sean Moore, from the Association for Christian Schools International (ACSI) about their vision to equip Christian schools, educators and students with the message of Jesus Christ.
WHY WAS ACSI STARTED? The vision of ACSI is to strengthen Christian education throughout each region by assisting in the establishment of Christian schools and the policy support of all schools. ACSI invests in the training of teachers to be effective in the Christian classroom to ensure that pupils are well prepared academically and on the journey of becoming fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ. ACSI South Africa was established in 2001 to help promote a body for Christian education locally. The Southern African office currently supports schools in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Namibia, Botswana and Malawi.
TELL US ABOUT ACSI’S GLOBAL FOOTPRINT? The ACSI headquarters is situated in Colorado Springs, USA. There are 28 regional offices around the globe serving around 23 000 schools and over 5.5 million children. We have experienced exponential growth in Africa in recent years, particularly in Nigeria, DRC and Uganda.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE KEY SERVICES YOU OFFER? The ACSI office represents Christian schools through engagement with provincial and national government structures, helping schools negotiate the legislative and policy landscape for Independent schools. Legal and HR support is provided as well as representation on various educational statuary bodies including SACE (South African Council for Educators), IEB (Independent Examination Body) and the ETDP SETA. ACSI supports Christian school growth through school governance training and leadership development of school principals. Regular contact with school principals 46
promotes collegiality and support for the role of a school principal. Leadership and teacher training takes place through organised national conferences as well as training days in the various regions. Curriculum support is provided through the ACSI curriculum and the school visits by ACSI Educational specialists. ACSI offers school leaders, teachers and students the opportunity of global connections through international conferences and student exchange programmes, and communication through newsletters, magazines and the ACSI website.
WHY DO YOU THINK CHRISTIAN SCHOOLING IS SO IMPORTANT? As public schools are being forced to move away from any specific religious education, so the need for a holistic education, that includes the spiritual growth of the child, has become essential in our world today. The Christian school experience will develop and shape the child’s academic and spiritual life, promoting a biblical worldview that encourages growth towards their God-given potential. Christian teachers provide a great role model for the children as they help cultivate a worldview in which God has His rightful place. They look to the Bible for guidance in answering life’s big questions as they enhance the children’s spiritual development in an intentional, nurturing manner. Christian education prepares a child with a moral and spiritual foundation that will enable each individual to serve humanity in a God ordained profession, yet establishing a personal relationship with God that sustains the individual towards eternity. For more info visit www.acsi.co.za.