Catholic priests equip FCT students with academic, personal growth skills
By Ibironke Ariyo
Some Abuja Archdiocesan Catholic priests have organised a back-to-school retreat to equip secondary school students in the FCT with academic success strategies and character-building skills.
Rev. Fr. Pascal Nwoko, an Educational Psychologist and Therapist, inaugurated the maiden edition of the retreat at the St. Donald Catholic Church in Karu FHA, Abuja on Monday.
Nwoko said that the week-long retreat, holding from Sept.1 to 6, would take place at St. Donald Catholic Church Karu, Church of Assumption Asokoro and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Galadima.
He explained that the retreat is a holistic development to equip the students ahead of a new school academic session begins in September.
Nwoko said that the initiative was in recognition of the complex challenges faced by students during resumption into new academic session.
“Many students grapple with academic pressure, peer comparison, identity struggles and emotional stress and these issues often hinder both academic performance and spiritual growth.
“This retreat seeks to prepare them mentally, spiritually and academically as they begin a new academic year and to foster resilience, goal setting, success and accountability.
“The initiative also aims not only to prepare students academically but to anchor them psycho-spiritually for holistic growth,” he said.
Nwoko said that the retreat was focused on five pillars; goal setting, success strategies, mentorship, psychological coping skills and spiritual anchoring.
This, he said was to nurture resilient, goal-driven, emotionally healthy and spiritually grounded students.
He disclosed that the programme was opened to teenagers from JSS1 to SS3 across the FCT and was not limited to Catholic children and wards alone.
Nwoko said that a follow-up programme was underway to monitor student’s academic progression, character development and for parental and guardians’ involvement.
According to him, this would ensure resilience and accountability before, during and after the academic session.
Also speaking, Rev. Fr. Felix Ilemona, a Clinical Psychologist highlighted the psychological benefits of such retreats, adding that it would help students manage stress and develop healthier attitudes toward learning and personal growth.
“This retreat provides teenagers with coping strategies for academic pressure, enhances emotional stability and promotes confidence in handling personal and social challenges.
“Practical guidance on psychological coping skills is also provided to help students manage peer pressure and other challenges of adolescence,” he said.
In his goodwill message, Rev. Fr. Joseph Obada, a Bioethicist Psychologist said that the retreat would help students develop ethical values and sound judgment.
According to him, combining bioethics with psychology equips teenagers to make responsible choices in academics, relationships and everyday life.
A parent whose child is a participant at the retreat expressed appreciation to the Catholic Church for the initiative to mentally, academically and spiritually prepare teenagers for the new academic session across schools.
The parent described the programme as timely and one that would help students develop good habits and face the new school term with confidence.(NAN)
Edited by Francis Onyeukwu
Published By
- Agriculture and Environment Desk Controller/Website Content Manager.
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