EpC Citizenship Education (EPC) comes tomorrow at Islands without the controversy that in other regions and while the Department explores the arguments put forward by 116 parents who fear that the Administration just try to "buy time".
MIGUEL GOMEZ, Tenerife
Despite the active opposition of a group of parents, it seems that the "landing" in the Canary Islands of Education for Citizenship (EPC)-that this course will be taught in the ESO-second to wake the same dispute that other regions, especially those governed by the Partido Popular (PP), some of which have declared war on the subject. His arrival in the islands has not been preceded by a comparable social and political debate that has occurred in these regions. Rather it has generated a consensus among the educational community associations of parents and students welcome, "and only about 120 submissions to the Ministry of Education -Which, if unsuccessful, would end up in court, threatening to stoke controversy.
The number of objections raised in the Canary Islands is the lowest in the country, only in the Balearic Islands, there have been fewer, a fact that the promoters of the opposition to the subject attributed to "fear" and reluctant parents who have found in some schools. The latter circumstance leads to Jorge Melon, spokesman for the Education Tenerife in Liberty, to recommend to families who do not want their children learning in EPC to deliver the letters of objection with counseling, not only in schools. In addition, Melon is convinced that the number of claims will increase.
While conceding that the government's willingness to examine their motives leaves "a gap" to hope, Jorge Melon is not convinced that the Administration finished accepting the arguments of the objectors. "They try to gain time and nothing else." Confirmed this prediction, families go to court, as has happened in other communities, some of which have issued rulings favorable to their positions in Andalusia and Castilla-La Mancha.
"Parents have the power to educate our children morally and the state can appropriate it to train your criteria and values \u200b\u200bthat are also changing. Now governed by the left, but when do it right, "educate children on their own values," he reflects.
In the Canary Islands, the very process used to dispose of the objections raised doubts. Education Ministry sources say that "there is the usual procedure, "because" in other communities the allegations do not refer directly to the Administration, but are considered by the courts. "
As regards the future that may have these resources, within the same regional government recognizes that conscientious objection "is not regulated" in such cases. However, the Executive does believe that citizens should "have the opportunity to raise any issues the administration before going to court. "Regarding the possibility that the Autonomous Community can articulate an alternative to the course if the claims were accepted, this source recalls that other regions such as Madrid, have done so . "mechanisms they may have been, anything is decided here is supply," he warns.
What has made it clear the Department is that the implementation of the course shall comply with the law. Asked whether the Government plans what actions to implement if the allegations are estimated, the director general for Planning and Educational Innovation, Victoria González Ares, says: "At the moment, no. Courts tell you what to do, but now is a law that obliges all of us. "
the PP has not opted to make this issue a source of confrontation in the Canaries, although it is conjectured that its position would be different if they control Ministry of Education, in the hands of its government partner, Canary Coalition. Still, the popular claim that his position is the same in the archipelago than in the entire State.
"made to measure"
In this regard, Carlos Ester spokesman of the PP parliamentary group in education, believes that the subject "should not be teaching." First, because "it is tailored to the PSOE, which seeks to propel their values \u200b\u200bwithout the parental consent, and also because it is not a priority at a time when Spain travel in the caboose of the European countries in terms of quality of education.
Although the PP believes in conscientious objection as "a right that includes the Constitution and protect us all", does not arise rebel against the law. "We will never go against the law. We have to wait to see what they say the legal services of counseling and the courts and then try to reach an agreement, "said Carlos Ester.
Meanwhile, groups of parents and students seem to comply with the content and orientation subject. Sunday Monzon regional confederation of associations of parents, advocates EpC because "education in values \u200b\u200bof citizenship, democratic society, commitment and participation can not be reserved only for families," while circumscribing the controversy generated in other regions for political reasons. As to the objection of conscience, he asks: "Objection to what? Do training as citizens, to the English Constitution?".
The Canary Student Union (UDEC) also supports the field. "We saw positive from the outset and continue to deepen it after seeing that," says association president, Alberto Alvarez who, however, leaves the door open to finding alternatives for those who will not take the new matter.
http://www.eldia.es/2008-09-14/canarias/canarias4.htm