By Soroj Mullick, SDB –
It is important to revisit the Catholic Education Policy which is vital to our mission. The CBCI National Education Consultation held in Delhi on 12th and 14th Nov. 2018, proposed the revision of the All India Catholic Education Policy 2007 (CEP), while discussing on the modalities of doing it.
t was observed that when this existing policy was promulgated, there was no “Right to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE)” bill; there was no “Loudato Si”; there was no “POCSO 2012”; there was no “Women’s Safety at Work Place” bill; there was no App-based learning or Home study concept; there was no social media effect etc.
Therefore, it was proposed that the leadership as regional / diocesan education Secretaries or national / Provincial education coordinators of Religious congregations or office bearers of educational associations and the Conference of Religious in India, take the lead in consultation with the Bishops/ Provincials / Superiors to collaborate in the work for the benefit of the education apostolate of the Church in India.
Education in all its inclusive form (School education, Higher education, Technical education, special schools, Vocational Training, Skill training etc.) should be considered. It is also expected that the various educational associations e.g. AINACS, Xavier Board of Higher Education with their Regional Bodies, Consortium of Christian Colleges and the National Conference of the Religious of India (NCRI) through a detailed study of the existing Catholic Education Policy give their observations, suggestions and proposals for its modifications.
With the forthcoming Indian educational policy, a revision of the ten year-old Catholic education Policy is needed with changes in the pattern of the policy itself by holding national level consultations. An urgent intervention of all catholic stakeholders is required in this present turbulent times in India. Some adaptations and modifications required for the present socio-political situation, must be incorporated in the existing policy.
The salient features of the existing policy are: provide quality and relevant education for all especially the poor; provide education that frees persons from the encumbrances of discrimination, illiteracy and whatever endangers life and respect and inculcate the values in life; promote respect for diversity and inclusiveness; provide education that humanises and allows all to play their rightful role in society, understand economic structures and political systems and promote transparency and accountability; impart education that energizes the young and promote nation building; impart education that shapes character, provides competence and promotes qualities of the heart; ensure promoting collaboration and cooperation and finally provide education that nurtures encounter with God and nourishes faith and teaches values.
Additionally, the policy wants the Church to intensify efforts to reach education and knowledge to the marginalised with four major focuses: quality education to the marginalized Dalits and Tribals; give attention to and deepen the authentic spiritual formation of all students and nurture the faith-culture of Christians; advocate the equally essential social and societal transformation as major goal and mission of education; contribute actively to betterment of India and its people by sharing in nation building, through education to the masses.
With commitment to those to whom Christ showed a preferential love so that “not one has been lost” (Jn 17:12), “parallel provision of continuing education through the Open Schooling” or through vocational and technical courses, the students are helped to graduate (Catholic Education Policy/CEP, 3.11).
To be continued…
Fr. Soroj Mullick, SDB is a Salesian priest from the Kolkata Province. He has a Licentiate in Catechetics and a Doctorate (Christian Education) from UPS, Italy. He has number of years of teaching experience in college and in the formation of future priests. Besides, he has written number of research papers and articles, and has 25 years of Ministry in India and abroad as Educator, Formator, Retreat Preacher, Editor and engaged in School, Parish Catechetical & Youth Ministry. He is now an assistant priest in Bandel Basilica, rendering pastoral and catechetical ministry to the parishioners and to the pilgrims. He can be contacted at [email protected].