Bangalore (AsiaNews/CBCI) – The 27th General Assembly of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India came to a close yesterday in Bangalore with a proposal to "build a new India, by educating every child in the country and where the marginalized will have the opportunity for development and participation in the life of the country".

The Indian bishops met from 8 to 15 February and they discussed the theme "Catholic Education and the Church's Concern for the Marginalized". From the meeting, which takes place every two years and tackles the country's most pressing needs, the Indian church came up with a significant programme: to draw up, within a year, its own national policy on education.

The task was entrusted to the Commission of Education and Culture of the CBCI, which will take into account the needs which emerged in the General Assembly.

In their final statement, the bishops reiterated the importance of education offered by Catholic institutions to all without distinction based on religion or social class.

Strongly condemning the caste system, "the cause of growing discrimination", the bishops underlined the commitment of the church "first of all for the marginalized, as Jesus would have done". Specifically, efforts will focus on dalits, tribals, migrants, women and people with special needs. The aim is to guarantee them "the right to participate in the progress of the nation" through adequate education which is the primary means for social development. In this, the government is asked for support, for an "increase in funds allocated for the education of the poorest of the poor". The bishops also reiterated their willingness to collaborate with political authorities.

The guidelines and proposals which emerged from the General Assembly as regards the future commitment of the Church in the educational sector are clear: assuring all Catholic children a place in school; setting up more hostels especially in rural areas, establishing a number of reserved places for marginalized people in Catholic schools, especially girls; offering particular assistance to  people with mental and physical disabilities so they can be integrated; identifying the more able children in poorer communities to form them in a more targeted and professional way.

At the end of the document, the bishops turned to parents: "You are the first educators of your children. Our institutions exist to assist you in fulfilling your God-given responsibility." And to youth: "You are the hope of society and the future of the nation. Make full use of the opportunities offered to help you grow, and build a better tomorrow for those less fortunate than you."

According to latest CBCI statistics, the Church in India manages 20,370 educational institutions, of which 58.5% are in rural areas and 54.4% are attended by girls; most students belong to religions other than the Catholic faith.