National Network for Children for Religion Training: There is a complete misunderstanding
The NMD unites 130 non -governmental organizations, on behalf of which its executive director Georgi Bogdanov states: “We unconditionally maintain the intention of the MES to be ethics, morals and values, but this should be done in a non -discussion, examples, interactive role -playing game Sports subjects.
Against the backdrop of the controversy, there is still no written concept of the ministry for the subject. Today, the minister promised to make it a fact until May 8, but to refer only to the part of virtues.
Are these real problems in education
According to Georgi Bogdanov, the debate about the introduction of the subject diverts the issues of real problems in education.
The subject religion will educate in honesty and tolerance: parents ask who will write the programs
« What do we do with the children at all, » he asked the audience in Hall 6 of the National Palace of Culture. « We have 50% functionally illiterate children. What do we do with these children? They are crowded with learning material and will put another subject. Children are learning religion and the results are very good. To learn without religious content in a confessional nature and to create a neutral space for children, in which all the topics related to religion are discussed.
At the end of his speech, he noted that children in Bulgaria need a great need for adults, a need that adults do not satisfy.
Many ambiguities and 120 questions
The NMD has received over 120 questions from parents, civic organizations and activists related to the changes planned by the Ministry of Education and Science, which include not only virtue and religion training, but also the introduction of an assessment of discipline and restriction of parents’ right to excuse absences for family reasons.
« Most of them are related to misunderstanding and clear disagreement with the planned changes by the ministry. The reasons that have raised these changes not only bother the majority of us, but also raise serious issues related to the competencies of the responsible persons in the field of education, » the NMD said.
MES organizes public discussion on religion at school without free access for citizens
From there, they express their « strong concern about Mr. Valchev’s statements about the planned package of sanctioning measures in school education, including an assessment/sanction for discipline, a complete ban on wearing phones at school and reducing the possibility of absences at the request of a parent (for family reasons), approved at the time of 15 days. » The organization calls on the minister to give written answers to each of the questions that she subsequently announces publicly.
« The discussed package of measures displaces the focus of the real problems in the education system and not only does not address the fundamental causes of tension in it, but also deepens them. The constructive dialogue with the Ministry of Education and Science is extremely important to us and we remain ready for future discussions on the topics related to education in the country, » the national network for children said.
