Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Temuco (Agenzia Fides) - The Episcopal Conference of Chile, through its Commission for Education, is disappointed that the new Law on Education recently approved by Congress, does not address issues related to government subsidies and the quality of education.
The Bishop of Temuco and President of the Commission, Mgr. Héctor Vargas, commented: "maybe this happened because there were no necessary spaces for a serious and profound reflection on the nature, the principles and values of a true education".
In this regard, the Bishop expressed strong doubts "about the fact that this law will contribute substantially to improving public education in Chile. We believe that the country has lost a great opportunity in this regard". Mgr. Vargas recalls that since the beginning of the debate on educational reform, the Church has been willing to engage vigorously" in the construction of a more just, inclusive education and with real opportunities for all children and young people, especially the poor".
The Episcopal Commission for Education believes that "although insufficient, there were still progress and changes made in the legislative text". The note concludes with a wish: "We hope that in the next implementing regulation and in any future revisions, the principles of authentic education, freedom and inalienable rights are safeguarded. This is what we Catholic bishops stated in the document 'La Educación que queremos para Chile' in November 2014" (see Fides 19/11/2014). (CE) (Agenzia Fides 29/01/2015)
