» 02/01/2012 12:35 PAKISTAN Bishop of Islamabad: education for a better future for the nation by Jibran Khan Bishop Anthony Rufin visits Catholic schools and institutions of the capital. The prelate is also chairman of the Diocesan Board of Education. He calls for an improvement in the level of studies, while the principle of gratuitousness and the right to education for all. "Education opens the mind and expands the horizons."
Islamabad (AsiaNews) - School and education are the guarantee of "a better future for Pakistan", because they help to "understand what is happening around us in a clear and logical way." Bishop Rufin Anthony, Bishop of Islamabad-Rawalpindi, told AsiaNews the value of education as a primary way to revive the fortunes of the Christian community in Pakistan – which still suffer marginalization and persecution - and, at the same time, contribute to the development of the nation. Throughout the week, the prelate, who is also chairman of the Diocesan Committee for Education, will visit schools and Catholic institutions, illustrating educational projects aimed at increasing the level of knowledge while maintaining the principle of gratuitousness and the right to study for all.
On 30 January Msgr. Anthony met with pupils, teachers and principal of St. Mary `s Cambridge School, Islamabad. In his speech, the prelate stressed that an educated person "has the ability to make decisions and make the right choice at the right time." Education helps the individual to "make the most of their potential" and lay the foundations for the future, transforming him or her into a "responsible citizen and an active member of society."
During the visit to St. Mary's Institute, the first since he was appointed chairman of the Diocesan School Board, the Bishop of Islamabad questioned the students on various topics, complimenting them on the progress made during the year. Roger Francis, the Catholic school principal, thanked Msgr. Anthony for his efforts in the field of pastoral love for the young people and the advice he addressed to them, inviting them to study to build a better future.
"Education opens the mind and expands horizons" continued the prelate. Study is essential to "understanding our culture and our history" and, thus, to immerse "ourselves in those values that can make us better citizens" . "You are fortunate - said Mgr. Anthony speaking to the pupils - because you are part of a prestigious institute, which has already prepared hundreds of people who are now leaders in the country. Look to them as role models, to become future leaders of Pakistan."
AsiaNews has long stressed the importance of education as a factor of redemption and growth for Pakistan, in a thorough dossier to devoted to education (see, Education can stop the Taliban in Pakistan). 25 million children in Pakistan – which has a total of about 180 million inhabitants – are denied the right to study, 30% of the population live in conditions of "extreme" educational poverty. In rural areas, one girl in three attends a school and two out of three people, between 6 and 16 years are illiterate. About 30% study in private institutions, 6% in the madrassas - Koranic schools - but the figure could be much higher, especially in remote areas.
