Towards an educational charter for Little Children of our Blessed Lady religious congregation (LCBL)

Abstract

This study set out to investigate the Philosophical Foundations of Education for the Little Children of Our Blessed Lady Congregation (LCBL). In this regard I presented information obtained from research conducted from both LCBL and non-LCBL informants, information derived from archives, Church records and documents. Some of the material used was from the literature review, interviews and focus groups. The findings revealed that the LCBL Congregation has no educational policy and that it needs a manifesto to direct its educational activities. This is the central argument of this study: the LCBL needs an educational charter in order for it to understand itself better and to enable it to articulate its vision and mandate to outsiders. The LCBL congregation has no written policies simply because it does not have its own institutions to run. In most cases the congregation works in collaboration with other organizations, which makes it difficult for it to make policies. The congregation has been working in Zimbabwe for the past 77 years offering services in education, health and administration, but all this has been done through other institutions, meaning the LCBL implements the policies of those institutions it works for and with. The LCBL congregation has a special focus on women and girls, but to date it has not yet done something specific to cater for its target group. This attributes to a number of factors, which include lack of policies and institutions to implement the policies that lead to a loss of culture and identity. It shows that there is great need for the congregation to deepen its understanding on the charism and core values which should include education and the importance of policies.