Most of the parties in the Montenegrin parliament are against the idea of introducing religious education in schools, while some say that the needs of society should be analyzed, and based on the information obtained, possibly establish religious education as an optional subject.
This was announced to "Vijesta" by those parties, after the head of the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral (MCP) Joannikius in a Saturday interview with the Television of Montenegro, he said that there are many obligations that the state assumed by signing fundamental contracts with religious communities, which it does not fulfill, and that their right is also to "return religious education to schools".
The Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) has been sending calls for the introduction of religious education for years, and such messages have become more frequent in the last three and a half years after the change of government in Montenegro.
In the Basic Agreement between the Government and the Serbian Orthodox Church, signed in August 2022, it is written that "the state guarantees the right of parents and guardians to provide their children with religious education in accordance with their own beliefs", and that Orthodox religious teaching in public schools can be regulated in accordance with the legal order of the state. This means that religious education can only be introduced if the laws are changed in the Parliament. According to the General Law on Education, religious activity is not allowed except in institutions that are licensed as secondary religious schools.
Analysis, and subplot
The strongest ruling party, the Europe Now Movement (PES), told "Vijesti" that they believe that the study of religion is already represented in the curriculum through optional subjects, and that therefore there is no need to introduce religious education.
"Article 5 of the General Law on Education stipulates that education and upbringing in public institutions is of a secular nature, which means that religious activities are not allowed in educational institutions, except in institutions that are licensed as religious schools. As for public educational institutions, students are allowed to study the History of Religion elective in the ninth grade of elementary school, as well as in high schools," notes PES.
Democratic Montenegro (Democrates) told "Vijesti" that they are committed to the principle of separation of religious communities and the state, and therefore think that religious education, "as an essential aspect of religious education", is the most adequate within religious institutions.
That party assesses that in this way every religious community has the freedom and autonomy to shape its educational program in accordance with its own beliefs and traditions, and that children and parents who want religious education have the opportunity to do so within the religious community to which they belong.
"In this way, all the necessary rights are made possible, and on the other hand, it is prevented that children in public schools, in the most sensitive years of their growing up, are divided and counted on the basis of religion, in the Constitution clearly defined civil and secular state", say the Democrats.
Spokesperson of the Democratic People's Party (DNP) Jovana Todorović, says that this party believes that, with regard to the issue of religious education, it is necessary to look at all aspects of the law on general education. He emphasizes that, in addition, it would be necessary to analyze the complete environment, that is, the needs of the entire society, the church and the faithful.
"When that process is finished, based on the information received, we will agree and eventually implement the introduction of religious education as an optional subject in schools," Todorović told "Vijesta".
The opposition is expressly against
MP of the opposition Social Democrats (SD) Nikola Zirojevic, says that in that party they are even stronger than before in the belief that religious education should not and should not be included in Montenegrin schools. He states that religious education for those children who want it, can be studied in religious schools or in some other way.
"Imposing this subject on all children, without talking about who would teach that subject and how, is completely unacceptable for us," Zirojević told "Vijesti".
Vice-president of the opposition Civic Movement (GP) URA Milena Vuković, says that this party is also against the introduction of religious education in schools.
"It is not disputed that students should receive information about such a major social phenomenon as religion, but this must be in accordance with the civil and secular principles on which Montenegro rests. "Students can still get the necessary information about religions through already existing subjects, such as history, sociology or an optional subject that deals exclusively with that topic, which is 'History of Religions,'" she told "Vijesti".
Vuković says that the education system in a secular state should be preserved and that in this way critical thinking and problem solving should be developed, while religion should be left to the "world of intimacy".
"After all, religious communities have the opportunity to organize their own schools, and students can choose to go to those institutions where they would acquire knowledge related to religious education," adds the interlocutor.
The ruling New Serbian Democracy, the opposition Democratic Party of Socialists and the Bosniak Party did not answer the questions of "Vijesti".
Non-confessional teaching
Religious analyst from Serbia Vladimir Veljkovic, believes that it would be best for Montenegro if it managed to retain jurisdiction and control over the education system.
"And if some form of religious teaching had to be introduced, then it is in the interest of the citizens that it be some form of non-confessional religious teaching, where sociology and history of religion would be taught, which would develop critical awareness in students," he says.
The interlocutor explains that the students would then be able to recognize various forms of manipulation to which they may be exposed by religious communities, "which, as a rule, in practice ignore high ethical ideals for the sake of their material and political interests".
"There is no right of religious communities that would enable them to catechize believers within the school system at the expense of the state, and therefore no obligation of the state to provide them with that right," Veljković underlines.
Speaking about the Serbian model of religious education, Veljković said that it was the result of a compromise between the church and the government after 2000.
"Confessional religious teaching has been introduced into the school system, which means that it has a missionary character and that its goal is to make believers out of students. The compromise consisted in the fact that the subject of civic education was introduced in parallel, so that students and parents decide between those two subjects, which are not mandatory", he states.
Veljović explained that long-term religious teaching has created problems within the school system in Serbia, primarily for religion teachers who, he says, are not enough to have a degree from the theology faculty, but also a blessing, i.e. appointment to the position of religion teacher from the competent bishop.
"Then where are religious teachers employed - by the state or by the church? For this reason, among other things, religious teachers cannot get permanent employment, because the SPC wants direct control over the religious teaching staff. Such problems arise when confessional religious teaching is introduced, there is a mixing of responsibilities between the church and the state," he states, adding that the next step will be the ever-increasing demands of the church, "as shown by the statements of the patriarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church Porphyria which openly criticizes the education system and demands that the church asks more and more about education".
Institute: Religious education unnecessary in schools
The Institute for Education responded to "Vijesta" that they believe that it is neither necessary nor expedient to introduce religious education into the education system.
"The introduction of religious education into the education system would cause a change in the fund of all classes of other subjects, i.e. a reduction in the standards for teachers. Also, the method of financing and hiring the teaching staff who would conduct these classes would be questionable," said the Institute.
They point out that, in addition, the question of children's rights arises for students who are atheists or whose parents are atheists. The Institute states that in the European environment, with the exception of the Balkan countries, religious education is not studied except as an optional course.
They remind that the Constitution prescribes that Montenegro is a civil, democratic, ecological and social justice state, based on the rule of law.
"In terms of developing the concept of a civil state, no distinction is made in schools in relation to national and ethnic affiliation, which is in the true spirit of the democratic and civil concept of education, the state and the society we aspire to and want to build," they point out. They remind that article five of the General Law on Education stipulates that education in a public institution is of a secular nature.
"Religious activity is not allowed in an educational institution, except in institutions that are licensed as religious schools," the Institute states.
They add that during the introduction of the reform of the education system in 2003, a series of scientific meetings and public debates were held on the need to introduce religious education into the education system, at the initiative of the SPC.
"The scientific and professional pedagogical public at the time concluded that it is necessary to enable the study of religious education through the history of religion, in order to preserve multi-confessional harmony in Montenegro," the Institute states.
Metropolitan of Montenegrin and Littoral Joanikije also stated in July the year before last that the state is obliged to ensure the right to religious education in schools, and that it is the right of both parents and children that no one can dispute. At that time, he said that the state is obliged to ensure the right to religious education by law.
When it comes to neighboring countries, religious education is taught in Serbia, Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Ministry: There is no need to introduce the subject of religious studies
The Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation answered the questions of "Vijesti" today.
They state that the study of religion is already sufficiently represented in the curriculum and that there is no need to introduce the subject of Religious Studies into the programs of public educational institutions.
The department reminds that article five of the General Law on Education prescribes that in public institutions, education is of a secular nature, which means that religious activities are not allowed in educational institutions, except in institutions that are licensed as religious schools.
They state that, as far as public educational institutions are concerned, students who wish to do so are allowed to study the History of Religion elective in the ninth grade of elementary school, as well as in gymnasiums.
They remind that in elementary school, students acquire knowledge within four main topics: Basic concepts and concepts of religion and pre-monotheistic beliefs, Judaism, Christianity and Islam, while high school students, in addition to the above, also study topics: Beliefs and rituals in Europe until the penetration of Christianity, Religious systems of ancient civilizations, Religion and the modern world, etc.
"The position of the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation is that the study of religion is already sufficiently represented in the curriculum through the aforementioned optional subjects, and therefore there is no need to introduce the subject of Religious Studies into the programs of public educational institutions," the department announced.
They remind that there are also religious schools in Montenegro where all children who are interested in these education programs can be enrolled, which, they say, enables the cultivation of religious beliefs in full capacity, which is guaranteed by the Constitution and the European Convention on Human Rights and freedoms.
Institute: Those who want to study religious studies have the History of Religion subject
The Institute for Education told "Vijesta" that if any of the students has a desire to study religious studies, that is, religion, such an opportunity is offered to them through the study of the elective course "History of Religion".
"The elective subject 'History of Religion' is studied in the 31th grade of elementary school, with one lesson per week, which makes a total of 1 lessons per year. In the gymnasium, the elective subjects 'History of Religion' 2 and 35 are studied in the I or II grade, that is, in the III or IV grade, with one class a week, that is, XNUMX classes a year," the Institute states.
They say that studying the "History of Religion" subject, students have the opportunity to properly study the customs, culture and ethics of the community they belong to, in order to understand how religion shaped and still shapes the way of life and functioning of the members of that community.
"At the same time, it helps them to learn about other religions, with an emphasis on those that are relevant to their daily life and environment, in order to better understand and respect members of other religions, with whom they should live and work harmoniously throughout their lives," the Institute says. .
What is written in the basic contracts with other religious communities
In the contract between Montenegro and the Holy See, signed in 2011, it is written that "Montenegro recognizes the basic right of parents to religious instruction of their own children". It is stated that "taking into account the multi-religious structure of the state, as well as the ongoing process of legal reforms, the possibility of studying the Catholic faith in public schools will be able to be regulated by a future contract between the parties".
The document states that the Catholic Church has the right to establish religious schools and higher-level educational institutions for the training of priests and pastoral workers, and that the issue of other Catholic educational institutions will be regulated by a future contract.
In the contract with the Islamic community, concluded in 2012, it was stated that "Montenegro recognizes the basic right of parents to religious education of their children".
"The issue of other educational institutions of the Islamic community will be regulated by a future contract between the contracting parties," the document reads.
In the contract with the Jewish community, signed in 2012, it is also stated that "Cma Gora recognizes the basic right of parents to religious instruction of their children". It also says that the Jewish community has the right to establish religious schools and higher level educational institutions for the purposes of training religious personnel in Montenegro.
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