The Pdcs on the decree introducing the Curricular Guidelines for the Teaching of Religion
We are amazed by press releases such as the one by Libera, or by what can be read on social networks regarding the Delegated Decree of 3 October 2022 n.140, which introduces the Curricular Guidelines for the Teaching of the Catholic Religion, thus definitively standardizing this subject to the other curricular subjects of the San Marino school – already published in the Annex “A” to the Delegated Decree n.169 of 29 September 2021, and for the teaching of Ethics, Culture and Society in the Annex to the Delegated Decree n.144 of 19 September 2019 – and replacing with them the contents already present in the annual programming of the subject. The wonder, in particular, derives precisely from the absolute lack of awareness, not to say lack of knowledge, of the fact that such contents are already present in the curricula of Italian schools where, moreover, in elementary schools the teaching of religion is equivalent to specialist subjects also in the number of hours (2 hours a week for each class) and in the nursery school, 1.5 hours a week are attributed to it. In this sense, however, with respect to Italy, the Agreement signed in 2018 between the Republic of San Marino and the Holy See – ratified by both countries – and the Agreement signed by the Government of San Marino and the Diocese of San Marino- Montefeltro in 2019, did not change the already existing timetable structure of Catholic Religion Teaching, confirming the number of hours – 1 hour per week for high, middle and elementary schools – as already defined. Rather, this legislation has regulated access for all teachers of the subject (lay and religious or priests), only in Primary and Secondary School (Lower and Higher), and only through public rankings held at the Personnel Office, at which it is possible to register only if resident in San Marino and in possession of the required qualifications, also recognized by the MIUR. With regard to nursery school, on the other hand – again in continuity with what was already provided for in the Agreement signed between the Government and the Diocese of San Marino-Montefeltro in 1994 – the Government-Diocese Agreement confirmed that the teaching of “religious culture” must continue to be entrusted to the teachers in charge of the section, taking into account the specific educational needs related to the age of the children and the very particular conditions in which they operate, and for which all the activities are included in the curricular programming and organized according to specific flexibility criteria. Therefore, there is no introduction of the religion class in kindergarten, but rather, as for all other teaching subjects (mathematics, science, literature, foreign languages …), the goals of skills and objectives are introduced of learning for the Teaching of Religion, for children of that age range, whose planning and implementation will be the responsibility of the permanent teachers. SAN MARINO CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY San Marino Christian Democratic Party Via delle Scalette, 6 – 47890 San Marino (RSM) – tel. +378 0549991193 – Whatsapp +39 3371008419 – E-mail:[email protected] – Web: www.pdcs.sm indefinite, and precisely following the signed and aforementioned Agreements and the recent Agreement for overcoming precariousness, confirm to Teaching of the Catholic Religion and to teachers of this subject the same dignity as other curricular subjects. A subject that teaches children elements of the Catholic religion and of other religions, deeply important for the purpose of learning their own cultural roots and the ability to dialogue with other cultures and peoples, whose religions characterize people’s ways and lifestyles . In this sense, in particular, no one can deny the great importance that this subject can have for San Marino children and young people, precisely for the purpose of gaining knowledge of their historical roots and popular traditions, especially in a country like San Marino, which among its its peculiarity – as unique in the world – is that of being a secular State founded by a man, whom the people themselves elevated to Patron of their Republic, because he was recognized and venerated as a Christian saint.
cs The Press Office of the PDCS