Poland's Minister of Education, Barbara Nowacka, has announced that school children will only receive one hour a week of religious classes as of the new school year in September. At present there are two hours a week of classes in the Polish Catechism. Children may opt out and/or do ethics classes in their place.
Opinion appears to be divided between those who object to the change at all and those who feel it does not go far enough. Onet's women's section suggests that most parents feel that religion should be entirely removed from state schools.
Catholic religious education - as opposed to the non-religious study of religion required by UK law for example - is guaranteed by the 1993/1998 Concordat signed by Poland and the Vatican. However, crucial details such as the number of hours and whether the classes are placed at the end of the day (making them unattractive) or in the middle - these are issues not regulated by the Concordat.
The pro-PIS, pro-Church WPolityce leads with "Nowacka attacks the faithful". WPolityce reports that the minister is "happy" that this move will hit the financial situation of the Church. However, Nowacka actually said she was "aware" of the financial consequences.
Nowacka attempted to show empathy for the Church and its mission stating that she "understands the need for a spiritual space, however I am not personally convinced that school is a better place for spirituality than the Church."
Nowacka also went on the offensive saying that "long enough" politicians have been at the "beck and call" of the Church, whatever was needed "grants, tax breaks" was provided. "We want a separation of Church and State," she concluded.
Sources: PAP, Onet, WPolityce
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