Spain makes compromise on controversial education law

28 May 2004

MADRID – The Spanish government partially suspended Friday the introduction of a controversial law which links education to religious instruction.

The Law of Quality Teaching, introduced by the previous conservative government, would make it compulsory for religious teaching in schools.

But the Socialist government promised to suspend parts of this law.

These relate to religious teaching, the school calendar and final examinations.

But education for children aged between 3-6 and foreign languages is not affected.

Vice-president María Teresa Fernández de la Vega, the first woman to head the council of ministers meeting – or cabinet – stressed that the law would remain in force.

She called on teachers and parents for calm until some agreement is reached on how it could be changed.

The law has provoked controversy as traditionalists believe it is essential for religious studies to be taught in schools.

But others are opposed to any compulsory religious instruction. 

De la Vega said suspending parts of the law was fulfilling an electoral promise made by the Socialists.

De la Vega also said she wanted to stress that the law itself had not been “suspended and it is still in place and the educators, families and children can be totally reassured”.

[Copyright EFE with Expatica]

Subject: Spanish news