Press review on Christian schools in the Near East
Reporting of Federici Studies Center
HOLY LAND – Palestine, the Christian religion becomes one of the subjects for school graduation
The decision reached afterwards 13 years of debates. A ministerial text approved. In Bethlehem, the kids are thrilled. Previously the test was only internal, not recognized at state level
Bethlehem (AsiaNews) – At the next high school exams, Christian and Muslim students will face a test side by side, each on their own religion. For the first time, the Christian religion is in the official subjects of the "tawjihi", the final exam for high school students (12but class). Brother Marwan Di'Des tells it, Franciscan and director of the School of the Holy Land in Bethlehem. In the Palestinian Territories the school year started on 29 August (to the joy of the little ones and the regret of the high school students, Brother Di'Des comments laughing). For the 2018-19, final year Christian students will take an additional subject in the national exam: “Christian education”. The decision is the result of 13 years of debate and work. For the test, the Palestinian Ministry of Education has approved a textbook drawn up with the collaboration of all the churches (“churches”, ndr) in Palestine. In previous years, the exam concerned only Islam, although both religions are obligatory. “The issue is one of social justice: if the Muslim boy can take an official exam, why not the Christian?”, comments between Di'Des. “It is a great result because in the Holy Land we are less than 2%. This absolute minority that manages to have a state exam for their religion is an important success. It is also a sign that the Authority recognizes our pedagogical role." (…) Equality between Muslim and Christian children is a lively issue for the Bethlehem school, where the 67% of the students are Christian and the rest are Muslim. (…)