Archbishop Palmer-Buckle cautions Catholic parents against using protocol to secure admission for unqualified wards

Metropolitan Archbishop of Cape Coast, Most Rev. Charles Palmer-Buckle, has cautioned Catholic parents against using protocol to secure admission for children who do not qualify for their preferred Catholic schools.

He says the practice could undermine academic standards and ultimately threaten the sustainability of Catholic schools.

Speaking at an event marking the 80th anniversary of the Knights of St. John International, Archbishop Palmer-Buckle revealed he is having a difficult time getting Catholic children into top Catholic schools in Cape Coast, St. Augustine’s College and Holy Child School, because many did not meet the cut-off point.

According to him, he has imposed an aggregate 12 cut-off in the archdiocese for the two schools, but many Catholic children did not make the grade.

"I have two good secondary schools in Cape Coast, Saint Augustine's and Holy Child. I'm having a rough time getting Catholics to come into St. Augustine's and Holy Child. Why? Because the cut off which I have imposed in the archdiocese is aggregate 12, many of my Catholic children didn't make aggregate 12," he said.

He recounted how some parents still approach him with far lower grades seeking protocol admission.

"Two years ago somebody came to my house... Catholic schools... aggregate 32 for St. Augustine's," he lamented.

Questioning the seriousness of some parents towards their children's studies, the Archbishop said:

"You the Catholic parents, are you serious about your children and their studies? When a Catholic parent comes to me with aggregate 32 for St. Augustine's..."

He urged parents and church members to prioritize the well-being, advancement and progress of the church and its institutions, rather than seeking favours that compromise standards.

"So when you are participating in the church, you are participating in the church for its well being, for its advancement, for its progress... So please wake up," he added.