Catholic Education Summit 2025 calls for sustainability and digital readiness

Christian schools have been a steady pillar of India’s education system, but their future will depend on sustainability and sound management, Member of Parliament M. Sribharat said on Friday.

Addressing the Catholic Education Summit 2025, organised by the Archdiocese of Visakhapatnam, he observed that Catholic and other Christian schools were “until recently, a highly aspirational choice even for the privileged.” Their continued relevance, he noted, lies in financial discipline, effective governance, and the ability to shape children into “independent, purposeful and happy” individuals.

The summit brought together priests, educationists, and administrators to deliberate on the future of Catholic education in the age of Artificial Intelligence. Sessions focused on technology adoption, governance models, and preparing teachers for a digital-first classroom.

Speakers recalled the legacy of Catholic schools, many of which have balanced academics with strong value-based education for decades. They cautioned that integrating new technologies must not come at the cost of this foundation.

Archbishop Reverend Udumala Bala underlined the Church’s role in extending quality education to underserved communities and reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive learning. Educationist Praveen Raju, Founder of Suchitra Academy, and others spoke on bridging traditional teaching practices with modern approaches.

The discussions also touched on financial planning, inclusivity, and strategies to keep Catholic education relevant in a rapidly changing social and technological landscape.