The leaders of 17 nongovernmental organizations in Moldova are against the intention to introduce mandatory religion courses in school curricula as they think it will contradict the constitutional principle of secularism, Info-Prim Neo reports. In a declaration signed by the “Initiative Group for the Promotion of Secularism”, it is said that the legal and social environment in Moldova is beneficial for any faith, denomination or ideological current to carry out educational activities outside of the public education system, for example by establishing Sunday schools, media outlets, etc. The Group considers that the introduction of mandatory courses of religion in schools could limit the freedom of thought and lead to the polarization of society on religious and ideological criteria. The Group calls on the state authorities, the Government, in particular the Ministry of Education, and other public bodies to adopt an unambiguous decision, in conformity with domestic and international laws in the field, with respect to the intention of the Moldovan Church to introduce such courses. The group also encourages the Ministry of Education to look for solutions within society, through cooperation with the school, teachers, parents and students, denominations, nongovernmental organizations and public associations, and other interested parties, to educate general human and spiritual values in the young generation in a balanced, open and pluralist manner. The declaration calls on the government authorities to enforce the constitutional principle of secularism by consolidating the secular state in Moldova, by protecting the public institutions from religious interference, and, vice versa, religion from governmental interference, by avoiding to display religious symbols in public institutions, by refraining from favoring, or otherwise, explicitly or implicitly, a certain church, denomination, or non-religious belief. The Group for the Promotion of Secularism recommends political parties to refrain from exploiting the extremely sensitive issue of religion in schools for political purposes, especially in the context of imminent election campaigns, and impose a moratorium on the issue.