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Croatia’s education ministry has withdrawn its recommendation that teachers take yoga classes after the Roman Catholic Church accused it of trying to sneak Hinduism into schools.
Instead, deputy education minister Ivan Vavra said, schools will get a two-page statement explaining in detail that yoga classes will be organised strictly in teachers’ spare time and focused on exercises only, with no students to receive instruction.
Vavra acknowledged that the move was triggered by the strong reaction of the church in this country of 4.5 million people, 80 per cent of whom consider themselves Catholics. He insisted, however, that yoga “was never meant to be introduced into the schools, now or in the near future.”
On Monday, Croatia’s bishops issued a fierce protest of the planned yoga classes, calling it “unacceptable to introduce into the schools topics that are in contradiction with the generally accepted system of values and the European cultural tradition.”
“Hindu religious practice will be brought into the schools under the guise of exercises,” the bishops said. Teachers interested in yoga can certainly pursue it, they said, “but not in schools.”
The Croatia-based group Yoga in Daily Life qualified along with dozens of other non-governmental groups for state funds for its programme for teachers. It is to receive 50,000 kuna ($8,000) for six weekend trainings starting in September.
The idea was to help teachers improve
their physical condition and relax, said Vedrana Josipovic, the group’s
leader. She refused to comment on the bishops’ reaction.
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