KRASNOYARSK METROPOLITAN COMPLAINS ABOUT PROBLEMS WITH TEACHING FOUNDATIONS OF ORTHODOXY IN SCHOOLS OF THE REGION
Interfax-Religiia, 25 March 2015
Problems arose with the introduction of the subject "Foundations of Orthodox culture" in schools of Krasnoyarsk territory, Metropolitan of Krasnoyarsk and Achinsk Panteleimon declared.
"The problems connected with the teaching of Foundations of Orthodox Culture in the schools of the territory evoke concern," the metropolitan said at a conference in Krasnoyarsk devoted to the implementation of the introduction in the school of the territory of the course "Foundations of Religious Culture and Secular Ethics [ORKSE]," the press service of the metropolitan reported Wednesday.
In the hierarch's opinion, traditional religious organizations "still are not taking advantage of the possibility of education in the schools that the introduction of the ORKSE course have opened up."
"Society has not provided to the schools the help that they greatly need. Daily analysis and daily joint activity of the schools and society are necessary. To teach and to train is the greatest task," he emphasized.
In his turn, the deputy director of the administration of social relations of the territorial governor, Roman Barinov, stated that the authorities of the region are called to implement the work of introducing and teaching the ORKSE course, with the participation of traditional religious organizations.
Earlier, Patriarch of Moscow and all-Rus Kirill reported that the suggestion to introduce the teaching of the ORKSE course from grades 2 to 9 should be sent to Minister of Education Dmitry Livanov.
He said: "We hope that this suggestion will receive the support of the ministry. However, even in the event of a positive decision, it should be understood that the introduction of subjects of the module in grades 2 through 3 is possible no sooner than the 2016-2017 academic year, and in grades 5 through 9, no sooner than the 2017-2018 academic year," he said.
The ORKSE course was introduced in all general education schools of Russia on 1 September 2012. It is taught during the entire 4th grade for one hour per week, and it comprises six modules: "Foundations of Orthodox culture," "Foundations of Islamic culture," "Foundations of Jewish culture," "Foundations of Buddhist culture," "Foundations of world religious cultures," and "Foundations of secular ethics." Schoolchildren and their parents have the right to select one of them. (tr. by PDS, posted 25 March 2015)
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