Student protests and the debate around Higher Education funding have prompted this year’s Education Sunday theme – learning and serving – which issues a strong challenge about responsibility to others.

Being celebrated this Sunday, February 5, – with resources suitable for use all year - Education Sunday 2012 asks “What is education for?” and says it should prompt people to use their newly acquired skills for others, not just themselves.

The Bishop of Oxford, the Rt Revd John Pritchard, who chairs the Church of England's Education Division and National Society, said: "This year’s theme is a challenge to us all that we should not take education for granted nor see it is a personal commodity: it is about the whole person and our responsibility to others. This should lead us to work for a fairer world where everyone has access to education and to continue to tackle the root causes of poverty and inequality that lead to millions of people around the world being denied their basic human rights.”

Churches and schools across the country are expected to mark Education Sunday in their services, during collective worship or at other suitable times during the year. Resources include sermon ideas and all age worship materials, along with collective worship ideas for primary and secondary schools.  http://www.cte.org.uk/Group/Group.aspx?id=64495

Further information:    Rachel Harden   [020] 7898 1464/mb 0773888 3714

Notes for Editors

Education Sunday has beencelebrated since 1878 and is traditionally celebrated on the ninth Sunday before Easter.  More information on Education Sunday: http://www.churchofengland.org/education/national-society/dioceses-parishes/education-sunday.aspx