AMERICA/CHILE - Bishops ask efforts to continue towards a quality education for all people, especially for the poorest of the poor

AMERICA/CHILE – Bishops ask efforts to continue towards a quality education for all people, especially for the poorest of the poor

Santiago de Chile (Agenzia Fides) – The Permanent Committee of the Chilean Bishops’ Conference (CECh) published a declaration on June 11 entitled, “In this historic moment,” in which they offer a hopeful view of the future of education in the country, as preparations are underway for a draft bill on a General Education Law (the LGE). The declaration was presented by the President of the Bishops’ Conference and Bishop of Rancagua, His Excellency Alejandro Goic, along with Bishop Carlos Pellegrin of Chillan, President of the Education Area of the CECh. The Bishops mention that the political settlement on education that was made one year ago has given way to this draft bill, which has been considered as something “historical and unprecedented,” and as “a new and positive contribution in favor of the understanding and unity that Chile so needs.” With this in mind, they ask those concerned to “evaluate the settlement that has been reached and try to build bridges of dialogue in advancing towards Chile’s great goal,” which is a quality education for all people, especially for the poorest of the poor and the marginalized, something that requires “profound legislative and structural changes.”
The Bishops express their regret that this historic settlement made one year ago has been met with serious difficulties and that it runs the risk of being nullified. “The citizens, especially the poorest among us, do not understand this situation, They had placed their hopes in this settlement that had been met with support on the part of the government and the two major political blocks in the country, whose leaders presented it as the best solution in improving education in Chile.”
The Bishops reiterate the transcendental vision of education that “has an essentially humanizing finality,” and therefore, it is authentic education “when it humanizes and personalizes, so that the person can humanize the world, contribute to culture, transform society, and build history.” In this sense, “all education is a public good, both public and private, and we should take great care in safeguarding it.” In light of this situation, the Bishops make an appeal to the “builders of society” that by vocation work in public service, especially members of Parliament, asking that they “continue working and collaborating so that the settlement may prosper for the good of the country” and they remind them that, “we need to continue taking steps in resolving what is still left to be done regarding greater equality and better opportunities for life and work among teachers, as well as in updating the education system in all its aspects, for the good of Chile.” (RG) (Agenzia Fides 12/6/2008)