Debates are ongoing after PQD deputy Besaida Mercedes Abreu submitted a resolution to the Chamber of Deputies calling for the Ministry of Education to implement Art. 25 of Law 44-00 that establishes the reading of biblical text after the raising of the flag and singing of the national anthem in schools. The article also calls for the study of the Bible at least once a week with programs to be presented by the Roman Catholic Church and the Dominican Confederation of Evangelical Unity (CODUE).
“In each public school, upon consensus of the competent religious bodies or authorities, a program of common biblical instruction will be offered or, failing that, two individual biblical instruction programs will be offered, one for each competent religious body or authority. The parents of the students or tutors, could choose between the two programs of biblical instruction by means of a simple written declaration, being able also to opt for the exemption of the matter, as prescribed by the General Law of Education “, establishes the article III.
The law also establishes that biblical instruction programs will be forwarded to the National Board of Education for appropriate approval.
Those that oppose the bill say that religion is a personal decision and cannot be imposed on the students. Those who defend the bill say that the study of the Bible will help develop values in students to help reduce delinquency and crime at an early age. The bill has the backing of the president of the Dominican Association of Lawyers (CARD) Miguel Surun who argues that the Constitution establishes we are a Christian country and thus the Bible should be taught in schools. Advocates also say that the Concordat signed with the Vatican in 1954 is still in effect.
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El Dia
Diario Libre
The Vatican
22 October 2018
