New Mandatory Sex Ed Programme Violates Rights of Parents
Christian parents are outraged over the contents of the governments new sex ed. programme. The government insisted and made opting out illegal, until the constitutional court found that the contents were against the law.
The current Croatian Center-Left coalition government has introduced a new mandatory course under the name „health education“ which will be implemented starting with grade 3.
Parental groups have voiced their concern that the 4th module („Gender Equality and Responsible Sexual Behavior“) promotes promiscuity, homosexuality, as well as pornography and artificial contraception.
Minister of Education Željko Jovanović has refused to meet with concerned parents. He publicly attacked the Church for its critical position towards this curriculum.
Parent rights groups have asked for an alternative and are insisting that the primary role of educating their children is being severely undermined.
The government has responded by saying that introducing this course was part of their program during the election campaign last year, but the actual content of the curriculum was not made public until late September 2012.
This course is clearly incompatible with Christian morality and represents a grave threat to young children. Since homeschooling is illegal in Croatia, it was widely expected that it would not be possible for Christians parents to opt their children out of the sex ed programme. In May 2013, the constitutional court found that the programme was against the law and that it needed revision. Source:
http://www.vecernji.hr/hrvatska/ovo-je-odluka-ustavnog-suda-o-zdravstvenom-odgoju-557690