Ranchi, Aug. 28: Syllabus would be reduced, exam grading would be more flexible and talented children from weaker sections would be given financial help and training were among the points in the Catholic Education Policy, 2007, unveiled today.

The policy would be applicable to all Catholic-run educational institutions throughout the country. “This policy is just a broad framework listing our concerns and suggestions for improvement. Every Catholic-run institution in the country would be required to frame its own regulations within the boundaries set by the policy. Since education is a state subject, teachers, educationists as well as church officials would be involved in framing a state policy,” Cardinal Telesphore P. Toppo told The Telegraph.

The policy states that no Dalit, tribal or Catholic child should be deprived of quality education because of lack of means. Proper training and financial help will specially assist disadvantaged children so that they integrated into the mainstream educational system.

The policy makes it clear that special preference would be given to ST, SC and OBC children.

Regarding exams and systems of grading, the policy makes it clear that all support should be granted to students to enable them to pass rather than fail in exams.

“We disapprove the practise of some institutions to eliminate students only to improve results in the public examinations,” the policy states. A new focus would be given to testing “multiple intelligences” to help students discover and develop their unique strengths and talents so that they find their place in life.

An array of well formulated strategies based on micro-planning would be implemented to evaluate the performance of each student. Exam systems would be made more flexible and integrated with life situations, the policy emphasises. Admissions to Catholic-run institutions would be based on equity, equality and justice.