Bulgaria Will No Longer Mandate Religion Class

Krasimir Valchev. Source: UOJ Bulgaria

SOFIA — Bulgarian schools will replace Religion classes with a new core subject called "Virtues and Ethics,” which will be entirely non-dogmatic. The goal is to enhance the value-based role of education through fostering ethnical conduct and social-emotional learning.

Religion will remain as an elective, which students can take with their parents’ permission. However, the class will only be offered if there are enough students.

This was announced by the Minister of Education, Krasimir Valchev, in an interview with BNR:

Religion is already part of the Bulgarian education system, but not in all schools. It is also present in almost all European countries. This does not undermine the secular nature of the system. Religion will not be studied mandatorily. There will be an alternative program, “Virtues and Ethics,” which will be the core subject. No child will study Religion against their will. We are only expanding access. Religion is one of the alternative pathways to instill values in children.

The concept of the Virtues and Ethics program will be entirely secular, the minister noted:

It will be a program focused on fostering goodness. We will also use it for social-emotional learning. In first grade, students will learn basic concepts—what is good and evil, and the different types of virtues. No grades will be given. There is a great need to strengthen the educational function of the Bulgarian education system. Before the start of the school year, parents will be informed about the options. If there is a minimum number of students, a Religion unit will be formed. The Virtues and Ethics program will be the core offering and will be available in all schools.

Patriarch Daniel of Bulgaria recently expressed his support for religious education in Bulgarian schools, as the UOJ reported.

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