Children’s Language News: Adults argue – for and against religion at school
Articles are an appropriate way for children to get acquainted with what is happening in society and a good occasion for conversation (and why not a dispute) in the family on them. Because of the age of the readers for whom the section was intended, the editorial office decided to close the articles for comment.
On the one hand, the minister said that the children would study virtues. The Bulgarian Orthodox Church also took this position. They believe that such an object will contribute to the construction of moral values and that the school is obliged to educate with the family.
On the other hand, there are different questions. For example, whether virtues can be taught or taught by personal example. Whether such a decision will be unfair to children from families who are not believers or have a religion other than Orthodox Christianity. Whether this will lead to division between children and an eventual increase in cases of hostility.
Religion as a compulsory subject at school: the problem is who, what and how will he teach
The minister said that families of non -Orthodox children can enroll them in something else (eg ethics for children from non -believers, Islam for Muslims, etc.). At the moment, however, it is often the case that elective subjects are one for the whole school, as there are no teachers for different options (eg if some families want foreign language to be English, others – German, not all schools can choose).
In addition, some families want to let their children solve this very personal question when they grow up – for example, if the mother and father have a different attitude to the faith and do not want to intrude on their child.
And at the moment one can study the subject of « Orthodoxy-Orthodoxy », but at will. The new proposal is for its introduction as a mandatory school hour. Separately, the literature program mentions myths and legends of different religions as part of cultural heritage.
Children’s Language News: How does the school psychologist help
In addition to the new subject, the ministry also proposes to introduce an assessment of the discipline of the students, as well as to cancel the current 15 days of absences for family reasons.
The discussions continue. There are also many studies of public attitudes on these issues. Everyone hopes education will be better for children, even when the ideas of how to do it are different.
