THE Catholic Church in Fiji has recommended a provision for a proposed draft Education Decree to be harmonised to recognise the international value of a parent's right to choose an education for their children.
The church made the recommendations in its submissions to the Constitution Commission.
The church also recommended the recognition of the management of education institutions, which maintained their special character, in fostering respect for our diversity, and the development and sustainability of our democracy into the future.
Head of the Catholic Church in Fiji, Archbishop Petero Mataca said the mission of education was the integral formation of the human person.
Archbishop Mataca said education was much more than teaching children pure sciences, social sciences, mathematics, the English language and vernacular languages.
Archbishop Mataca said those would continue to have great significance to the country's strategies for nation building and development.
"Education on values, diversity, tolerance and respect, justice, freedom and the rule of law are crucial.
"Our experiences of coups and social disruptions in the past 34 years indicated this need but also highlighted the lack of appreciation of the special character that cultures and religions contribute to the education of our people.
"In this regard, the government of the day must also recognise the special character of cultural and religious education institutions and the enormous benefits these have to strengthening a deeper appreciation of our diversity.
"The church also supports the tenet of the Education Act Section Three that pupils should be educated in accordance with the wishes of their parents," he said.