Patriarch Daniel of Bulgaria welcomed today at the Synodal Palace the Minister of Education and Science, Krasimir Valchev. The two discussed the cooperation between the Ministry of Education and the Orthodox Church of Bulgaria.
“We are currently preparing changes to the curricula, aiming to strengthen the pedagogical element,” explained Minister Valchev. According to him, education is an integral part of every lesson, so it is essential to emphasize it in all educational programs, regardless of subject. “At the same time, we are considering introducing a course on virtues and religions,” he added. Similar courses are taught in most European countries, where it is common for students not to be graded in these subjects. “If this course becomes mandatory, students will have the opportunity to choose from different programs. Those who do not wish to study religion will be able to opt for a course focusing more on ethics, virtues, and values,” Minister Valchev pointed out. In his view, the implementation of this plan can be carried out gradually across different grade levels.
Patriarch Daniel congratulated Minister Valchev for his clear commitment and expressed the readiness of the Orthodox Church of Bulgaria to contribute, through experts, to the discussion on future reforms. The Patriarch emphasized that the teaching of this subject would not only benefit the educational system but also provide children with additional knowledge, offering them a moral and spiritual perspective that could help reduce aggression in schools.
During the meeting, the valuable experience gained in recent years was also highlighted, following the introduction of the optional Orthodox Christianity course in schools and the development of specialized textbooks for this subject. The Patriarch stressed that this should be an educational subject focusing on the teaching of values, history, and Christian art, with the option for deeper study for those who wish to pursue it further.
