site.btaBulgaria Debates Reintroduction of Religious Education in Schools

A discussion on the potential reintroduction of religious education in Bulgarian schools was held at Sofia's National Palace of Culture on Thursday, with key figures from various religious and educational institutions participating. The debate focused on the need to provide children with knowledge about virtues and religions as part of a broader ethics curriculum.  

Education Minister Krasimir Valchev emphasized that the curriculum would not be compulsory but would aim to teach students about their own history, identity, and moral values, similar to educational models in several European countries such as Norway, Denmark, Spain, Slovakia and Germany. "If the proposal is accepted by the National Assembly, we believe that a curriculum different from the current non-confessional curriculum should be developed, with a focus on the formation of values and virtues, a curriculum combining humanistic, philosophical, cultural, ethical education with knowledge about religions,” the Minister said. 

The head of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Daniil, supported the initiative, asserting that Bulgaria should reintegrate religious education into schools. He highlighted the crucial role that the Church has played throughout Bulgarian history in shaping national identity and moral values. He also said, “We believe that the Bulgarian State has both a moral and legal duty to educate children in the authentic knowledge and principles of Orthodox faith and spirituality, which have contributed so much to our people and country. It is time for Bulgaria to restore Orthodox religious education to its rightful place in schools, while considering the views of parents of other faiths or those without religion, allowing them to choose a curriculum that aligns with their values.”

Chief Mufti Mustafa Hadzhi also addressed the roundtable, stressing the importance of teaching religion in an accessible and non-aggressive manner. He argued that including religious education in schools would help prevent social vices such as drug addiction and alcoholism and protect young people from radicalization, which often occurs through unregulated online sources. "Religion must be included in the curriculum of public schools and be explained in understandable language to the younger generation that religion does not ask us to be aggressive, teaches that affection and love for Man, must be leading," the Chief Mufti said.

The National Network for Children (NNC) announced that it has received more than 120 questions from parents, civil society organizations, and activists regarding the Ministry of Education's proposed changes in Bulgaria's school system. The proposed measures, including disciplinary sanctions, a phone ban in schools, reduced days off for family reasons, and the introduction of compulsory religious education, have sparked strong opposition. “At the round table held Thursday, organized by the Ministry of Education and Science, we witnessed a complete misunderstanding on the subject of Bulgaria's children and their education. Our children need support and examples to follow, not sanctions and the inculcation of ideological and religious doctrines,” the message says. NNC underscored that the proposed measures divert attention from the real issues in the education system and expressed a willingness for constructive dialogue to address the underlying problems.

National Assembly Education and Science Committee Chair Andrey Tchorbanov (There Is Such a People) expressed his belief that introducing a compulsory subject on religion would significantly increase students' interest in religious studies and help them learn about core virtues, allowing many children to discover the path to true religion and Christian values.

Former education minister and Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria Co-Floor Leader Nikolay Denkov stated that religion is already taught and present in the education system as an elective subject in three different versions, offered with approved textbooks from grades 1 to 12, as well as in the five religious schools that the State has supported for many years. Denkov also outlined four key issues raised during the discussion and clarified that the proposals presented by the Education Ministry address important matters that need to be resolved before making amendments to the Preschool and School Education Act.