A civic initiative group submitted a petition to the Ministry of Education, Culture and Research whereby this demands that the legislation on secularism concerning state education should be obeyed and that religious services at school festivities, in public schools, should be banned. In a news conference at IPN, Polina Chastuhina, gender expert and human rights activist, said the Ministry of Education, Culture and Research should make an order by which to confirm the secularism and impartiality of state education institutions and this should be circulated to all the institutions.
“The previous years, in breach of the Constitution, religious ceremonies were staged in state education institutions during the September 1 festivities. The children were splashed with holy water, but these are not necessarily Orthodox. These festivities can also be attended by atheists or by persons with religious beliefs that are dissimilar to those of the majority,” stated Polina Chastuhina. She noted that this way not only the principle of secularism in education, but also the principle of inclusive education stipulated in the Education Development Program of Moldova for 2011-2020 were violated.
Sociologist Vitalie Spranceana said the churches are the best place for holding religious ceremonies. “We consider on the first school day we should tell the children more about the social-human values, the principles of education in Moldova according to the legal framework, their civic engagement, freedom, equity, etc.” he stated.
The activists called on the teachers of state education institutions not to allow holding religious services in schools and requested those who witnessed such events to write an email letter to the Non-Discrimination Council.
According to them, the petition is a preventive measure and they are waiting for a reaction from the Ministry of Education, Culture and Research during the next few days. The petition was signed by 30 persons who include activists, lawyers and researchers. This was registered with the Ministry on August 4.
