Themes of Catholic Social Teaching
The Option for the Poor and Vulnerable
The option for the poor and vulnerable instructs us to put the needs of the poor and vulnerable first. The call for special attention to the needs of society's most disadvantaged members directly speaks to the issue of educational inequity. As a fundamental value in the Catholic Church, this message was rooted in the scriptures. Exodus 22:20-26 wrote “You shall not oppress the poor or vulnerable. God will hear their cries” This verse reminds us that God sides with the poor and vulnerable and calls for our support. This aligns with my concern for educational disparities in China, advocating for an equal distribution of education opportunities, especially supporting lower-class students in rural areas. Education is an urgent need for students learning in rural areas because it is the main route to change their lives. We need to ensure that students learning in rural areas have equal chances for success.
The Bible consistently emphasizes the importance of caring for the poor and vulnerable. “A portion of the harvest is set aside for the poor and the stranger” Leviticus 19:9-10. This passage reminds us that everyone deserves equal resources. In terms of the education system in China, the poor and vulnerable should receive the same learning opportunities as the wealthy and privileged individuals. He reminds us to give and respect those with less opportunity and rights. Rather than prioritizing education for students in urban schools, more effort should be put towards educational opportunities for those studying in rural areas of China, ensuring they receive the support and resources needed to overcome barriers to their learning. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops wrote, "The obligation to provide justice for all means that the poor have the single most urgent economic claim on the conscience of the nation." This quote indicates that people from the lower class should receive high-quality education because there is an urgent need for education to change their economic status and break the cycle of poverty.
Solidarity
Solidarity is the concept that we are all created equally regardless of our national, racial, ethical, and ideological differences. This challenges Christians to empathize with and support students who are deprived of education in rural areas. The principle of solidarity promotes action to address the inequalities that hinder access to quality education for unprivileged groups. Education is crucial as it not only benefits the individual but also contributes to the welfare of the community at large because receiving quality education promotes people to be better versions of themselves and contribute to the community.
St. John XXIII once said, “The solidarity which binds all men together as members of a common family makes it impossible for wealthy nations to look with indifference upon the hunger, misery, and poverty of other nations whose citizens are unable to enjoy even elementary human rights.” Privileged individuals and governments must support those suffering from poverty and lack of education. As a basic human right, education in China should be open to all students, and quality resources should be accessible to all students despite their backgrounds. In addition to that, the scripture 1 Corinthians 12:12-26 states that “If one member of Christ’s body suffers, all suffer.” The Bible continuously emphasizes that we are in this together. Everyone should work together to improve the educational system in rural areas.
Dignity of the Human Person
The principle of the dignity of the human person reiterates that every individual has inherent worth and should have the opportunity to develop to their fullest potential, including access to quality education. Romans 12:9-18 states “Love one another, contribute to the needs of others, and live peaceably with all.” However, the peaceable contribution of education is not currently met in the educational system of China. As a result, students from wealthier families receive significantly better education than those from rural areas, due to a lack of political support, money, and resources, along with the lack of trained faculty for those areas.
In his encyclical "Centesimus Annus," Pope John Paul II highlighted the importance of education in the development of individuals and the cultivation of a society that respects human rights and dignity. Pope Francis once said “Human beings too are creatures of this world, enjoying a right to life and happiness, and endowed with unique dignity. So we cannot fail to consider the effects on people’s lives of environmental deterioration, current models of development, and the throwaway culture.” He also stated “The world exists for everyone because all of us were born with the same dignity. Differences of color, religion, talent, place of birth or residence, and so many others, cannot be used to justify the privileges of some over the rights of all.” In his speech, Pope Francis asserts that everyone deserves equal rights regardless of their differences, especially in terms of education. The Chinese government should ensure that marginalized groups receive more rights and learning resources.