AMERICA/MEXICO - Bishops congratulate teachers on the day in their honor, recognizing their “contribution to the formation of future generations and, in this manner, the progress of our country.”

Guadalajara (Agenzia Fides) - With the occasion of Teacher’s Day in Mexico, on May 15, the Bishops’ Conference issued a message entitled, “Teachers, Architects of Culture,” in which they “congratulate all the country’s teachers and recognize their invaluable contribution to the formation of future generations and, in this manner, the progress of our country.”
For the Church, “education is not simply transmitting and passively receiving contents. Rather, there is a need to communicate them in a systematic manner and assimilate them critically, so that the student can reconstruct them and identify himself with them in an intelligent and creative manner.” However, the Bishops are aware that education is complex and takes into account many factors. Moreover, “the situation of education in our country has various aspects that show its insufficiencies and setbacks.” The Bishops mention, for example, the high rate of “drop-outs,” “many times caused by poverty and extreme situations in family income, addictions, violence, health problems, or simply a severe and unhealthy lack of motivation.” Another serious problem is the quality of education, as “the evaluation exams of our educational system constantly place us among the lowest ranking.” With that said, “an authentic educational reform is needed, free from short-term political and party platforms.” It is not enough simply to provide improved resources. Instead, the hard truth is that “it demands that all-government, teachers, parents, businesses, and civil society, including the Church - begin a process that can break these vicious circles, end the sterile inertia, and create an effective State policy regarding education, reevaluating the social role of the teacher and the educational role of the family.”
With that in mind, the Bishops ask that there be a system implemented in assuring that only the best teachers are awarded positions in schools; that research be promoted as working method; that teachers be required to participate in courses, seminars, and events that elevate their level; and implement an active participation in working towards common objectives on the part of the entire educational community. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 15/5/2008 righe 27, parole 332)