Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile: The right to education and freedom of education
“The education of the new generations is a key aspect in the personal, community and social development and transformation of our country. Families report that the education of their sons and daughters is the most important right, that is, their primary goal and desire. It is the duty of the state to provide a quality public education, however, in education, -as in other areas of our life in community-, it is evident that the public is not restricted to the state. Examples of establishments of identity and non-state public character are abundant both in primary and secondary education and also in higher education.
For its part, freedom of education and the right of parents to choose the education of their sons and daughters is of special importance, it has been enshrined in the Constitution for more than one hundred years and is an essential part of the pluralism that we want to continue building. In our country. Also, the Declaration of Human Rights and multiple international treaties enshrine it, thus giving it a global character that is evident in this right. Thus, freedom of education is of vital importance, and it means recognizing a fact that is crucial, and that is that parents are the first responsible for the education of our children. In this there should be no doubts.
“Higher education must continue to have innovative and quality academic projects that advance in the creation of new knowledge for the future development of our country. Great challenges to be reflected in the new Constitution” – rector Ignacio Sánchez.
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In our country, due to the scarce coverage of state education, -in all sectors of education-, private education has had to assume educational commitments in different sectors of our population. Thus, in several places in our territory, subsidized private schools, -laypersons and from different churches-, are the highest quality proposals that take on the challenges of educating vulnerable students and families. In higher education, on the other hand, the non-state public contribution, -sector grouped in the universities of the G9 Network-, has shown quality, teaching innovation, leadership in research, commitment to communities and concern for the needs from the country. During this pandemic, there are countless aspects in which this contribution has been demonstrated, just as an example,
The freedom of education and the role of the state in its contribution to quality public education can be complemented, strengthened and not contradictory. The work of the Convention for the drafting of a new Magna Carta must consider a comprehensive, quality educational model, oriented to the common good, of a public nature, -state and non-state-, plural and oriented to satisfy the needs of the boys, girls and their families. For its part, higher education must continue to have innovative and quality academic projects that advance in the creation of new knowledge for the future development of our country. Great challenges to be reflected in the new Constitution ”.