The Association of Christian Orthodox Students of Moldova asks the authorities to introduce the subject “Religion” in schools. In a news conference on Wednesday, members of the association presented a petition that will be submitted to the Head of Parliament Mihai Ghimpu, Prime Minister Vlad Filat and Minister of Education Leonid Bujor, Info-Prim Neo reports. “This subject will contribute essentially to an improved education process, a higher level of morality among the youth, harmonized social relations and increased respect for the family, society and its values,” said the Association's president Iulian Rusanovski. According to Iulian Rusanovski, the moral-spiritual education is now taught in schools, but it does not explain the “true religion” and has “no connection with the spiritual world”. “The moral-spiritual education textbooks ignore the role of the church and religion in people's lives. Religion is a component part of our social experience. When our culture cannot provide explanations, we accept silly foreign experiences,” Constantin Lazar, the head of the cultural-spiritual association “Antonie Plamadeala”, said during the conference. The members of the association said they collected more than 4,000 signatures from private individuals and 27 signatures from legal entities that want their children to study “Religion” at school. If the authorities accept the idea of the Association of Christian Orthodox Students, “Religion” will be an optional subject. The parents will decide instead of the students who are younger than 14.