KDH Blasts Changes to School Financing, Calling them Discriminatory

Bratislava, 5 August (TASR) – The opposition Christian Democratic Movement (KDH) once again criticised the planned changes to education financing, objecting to the proposed reduction of contributions per student to private and church schools that are not registered as public education providers, and called them an attack on religious children. At a press conference held in front of the Government's Office on Tuesday, KDH members questioned Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) on why he wants to discriminate against these children. „The Fico government has proposed a bill on the financing of schools and school facilities that reduces funding per student in church and private schools. It also seeks to limit funding for these schools from municipal and regional budgets. This attack aims to force these schools to become so-called public education providers,” said KDH chair Milan Majersky. Majersky pointed out that if such schools become public providers, they would be obliged to prioritise admitting pupils from designated school districts. „If they do not comply, they will be punished by a 20 percent reduction in their per-student normative. This would make it impossible for them to sustain their educational activities. It is important to note that the vast majority of church schools do not charge any tuition or fees, so they would be unable to maintain the education of these children,” he added. Majersky also warned that the changes would trample on the freedom to choose schools, threatening the identity and mission of church schools. „Church schools are not intended to fill school district quotas but to provide a specific form of education. That is their mission. Disadvantaging these schools because of their identity contradicts the constitutional rights of religious parents and children. It takes education back to the pre-1989 era,” he stated. He called on Prime Minister Fico and Education Minister Tomas Drucker (Voice-SD) to explain why the government wants to discriminate against children based on their choice of school according to their faith and beliefs. The Ministry of Education has drafted a bill on school financing that would broaden the reasons for reducing contributions per student. The reduction would apply to private and church schools not registered as public education providers, cutting their funding by 20 percent. The ministry rejected the criticism, stating that it does not plan to nationalise schools, only to ensure fair financing. mf/mcs