KDH to Hold Protest Over Discrimination against Church and Private Schools (2)

Bratislava, 16 October (TASR) – The opposition Christian Democratic Movement (KDH) which has raised concerns about potential discrimination against church and private schools stemming from draft legislation proposed by the Education Ministry, announced a protest in front of the parliamentary building on Thursday afternoon. According to KDH, the state aims to exert control over non-public schools as well. The Christian Democrats criticised a proposal that would cut funding by 20 percent for private and church schools not registered as public providers of education. "No child should receive less money for their education. Unfortunately, today we see that minister Tomas Drucker and the government of Robert Fico want to allocate one fifth – that is, 20 percent – less funding for children attending private and church schools. This is neither fair, nor good, nor beneficial for these children, and it's highly discriminatory,” said KDH chair Milan Majersky at a press conference on Thursday. Majersky believes the proposed changes would result in the worst financial underfunding of students in private and church schools in the past 35 years. He added that these schools are often the most successful in terms of student outcomes. MP Jan Horecky (KDH) warned that the changes would bring a wave of bureaucracy and restrictions that would tie the hands of school management. "It is unbelievable that the minister is going around explaining how to bypass his own draft law, advising headteachers and managers of church schools on how to avoid the obligation of being included in the school district system – something he himself claims is very important," added Horecky. Parliament is set to debate the education legislation during its current session, with a final vote expected to take place as well. The bill on school administration includes changes to the way in which school districts are defined. A new institution – a public provider of education – is to be established, giving priority admission to pupils within designated school districts. Private and church schools that are not registered as public providers of education could see their funding reduced by 20 percent. During parliamentary committee discussions, amendments were introduced to simplify and clarify the rules for including church and private schools in public school districts, "taking into account the need to expand opportunities for these schools to accept children who support their focus and character". The Education Ministry previously responded to the KDH's criticism, accusing the opposition movement of misleading the public and politicising the issue. According to the ministry, the draft law on school funding contains nothing that would threaten believers' access to church schools or place them at a disadvantage, provided that they serve the public interest. NOTE: This story has been extended to include 8-10 mf/df