By Matters India Reporter
Bengaluru, Sept 10, 2024: The Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) on September 10 launched a set of 115 textbooks for schools under the Central Board of Secondary Education and the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education.
CCBI president Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrao, Archbishop of Goa and Daman, unveiled the textbooks at an event held at St. John’s National Academy of Health Sciences, Bengaluru.
Present on the occasion were 40 bishops, including Cardinals Oswald Gracias and Anthony Poola, attending the CCBI Executive Committee meeting, along with educationists, major superiors, secretaries of the CCBI Commissions and other dignitaries.
“Education is a primary mission of the Church in India. With numerous schools across the country, we are committed to providing quality education to future generations. This new series of textbooks will further strengthen our education,” said Cardinal Ferrão.
Cardinal Gracias, Archbishop of Bombay, congratulated those involved in publishing the textbook series for Catholic schools.
Archbishop Peter Machado of Bangalore stressed the Church’s responsibility in shaping future citizens who uphold both human and constitutional values. He also referred to the CCBI’s value education textbooks, launched in 2022, as an essential tool in this mission.
The textbooks were published by Arclight Global, the CCBI’s publishing arm, established in 2022.
The launch marks a significant step forward in the Church’s efforts to enhance educational resources in its schools across India, says Father Alathara.
Frank questions:
1) Today, “reading habit” among people, especially the youth, is fast declining. Will these 115 textbooks be read with interest?
2) Today the students are pressurized by the existing syllabus. Will these 115 textbooks be an “additional burden” on the students?
3) Are the teachers trained to teach these 115 textbooks?
Education must be made “enjoyable” for the students and it should never become a “burden” for them.