New Delhi (AsiaNews) – More than 20 thousand scholastic institutions, 66% of which are found in rural areas, 6 million students boys and girls from across the religious spectrum.  These are the numbers which support the Indian Catholic churches commitment to education, which at the same time also disprove the "false myths" circulating the country.

The data was publishe January 21st, during a press conference in New Delhi presided over by Card. Telesphore Toppo, president of the Catholic bishops conference of India (Cbci). During this meeting with the press the leaders of the Indian Church gave the media a preview of the main issues on the agenda for the forthcoming general assembly to be held in Bangalore from February 8th  to 15th .  In fact the theme will be "Catholic education and the Church's concern for the marginalized" The General assembly is a regular activity on the Cbci schedule.  The meeting is held every two years in different cities and focuses on theme's of importance to both the church and the country as a whole.  "We believe that through education we can contribute to peoples development and help build the nation", declared Card. Toppo.

The executive secretary for social communications Fr. D'Souza, is convinced that by analyzing the Church's commitment in the field of education can "bury some false myths circulating among most people".   He is referring to accusations of forced conversions made by Hindu extremists and to the idea that Catholic schooling is aimed towards the rich elite of the country because of existing enrolment fees.  To the first accusation Card. Topo answers : If we really converted the students, then even L.K Advani leader of the  Bjp (national Hindu party), who studied at St. Patrick's school would be a Catholic!". "At the moment – continued the prelate – we have over 6 million pupils, how many of them can accuse us of forced conversions?".

The data provided in an interview with AsiaNews by Fr. D'Souza, full respond to the second accusation . From them it clearly emerges that catholic schools are above all directed to helping these who are discriminated against as well as the  nation's marginalized, in an attempt to aid their cultural development.  

"Over the years we have heavily invested in schools and trained teachers – he says  – we run over 20 thousand scholastic institutions, 66% of which are found in rural areas the rest in the cities". The priest then underlines even more meaningful figures, over 6 million pupils of which only  23% are Catholic and 55% girls, who often do not even finish their primary schooling". 

Fr. D'Souza, concludes "It is important to elaborate an overall view of the education that we are offering". "It's fundamental -  he emphasises – to stop and seriously reflect on our vocation and mission in the field of education". According to the Secretary for social communications, confronting the theme of education is essential in so far as catholic institutions are well known and often preferred by parents because of the quality of their schooling and the solid values on which they are based.