Parents protest against plans to introduce compulsory religious education in public schools

A protest has been organised on social media demanding the resignation of Education Minister Krasimir Valchev and the cancellation of the Ministry of Education and Science's plan to introduce a compulsory subject called "Religion and Virtue" in schools, reports BNR journalist Andrey Borisov.

• The idea for classes on virtues and religions in schools sparks wide public debate

The demonstration will take place on May 8 at 7pm in front of the Ministry of Education and Science. The protest is against the introduction of the subject without public debate.

• 62% of parents are against a mandatory subject "Religion" in schools, shows poll
• 57% of Bulgarians in favour of introducing compulsory religious education in schools

"This is not just an administrative decision. This is a retrograde step. We are not protesting against faith, but against the transformation of the state school into an instrument of ideological preaching. We are protesting against the replacement of knowledge with dogma. Against the attempt to turn schools into institutions that train obedient citizens instead of free minds," the organisers declare.