Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
La Paz (Agenzia Fides) - The Bolivian Episcopal Conference (CEB) has presented six observations on the draft education bill (the bill was tabled by Avelino Sinani and Elizardo Perez), as reported by Limbert Ayarde, executive secretary of the CEB's Commission for Education. The Bishops criticize some of the contents of the new legal proposal, submitted on 19 November by the Minister of Education, Roberto Aguilar, who announced that in the coming days the proposal will be brought to the Multi-national Legislative Assembly for discussion and approval (see Fides 04/11/2010 and 11/11/2010).
The first observation, said the executive secretary of the Commission for Education, covers the Federal Government, which must clearly reaffirm the responsibility of parents in their children's education. Secondly, the exclusivity of teacher training by the State: in reality the Catholic Church has its own formation centre, which according to Ayarde, was efficient.
The third point concerns the right of the Catholic Church to administer its schools on the basis of an agreement with the government, to ensure families who desire it, an education based on the principles of religion.
The fourth point comments that religious formation, which is part of the global teaching model offered by the Church especially for the Bolivian people, must be guaranteed by the Constitution which clearly says that religion and State are separate. This implies that every religious organization must state the institutes of religious education under its tutelage.
The fifth point is the request to offer greater opportunities for technical education and for the associated funds. Finally, the sixth point concerns how to establish social participation in education by the central Government. (CE) (Agenzia Fides 24/11/2010)
