Parental veto in schools
22.1.2020
Question for written answer E-000364/2020
to the Commission
Rule 138
Domènec Ruiz Devesa (S&D), Clara Aguilera (S&D), Adriana Maldonado López (S&D), César Luena (S&D), Alicia Homs Ginel (S&D), Lina Gálvez Muñoz (S&D), Mónica Silvana González (S&D), Inma Rodríguez-Piñero (S&D), Juan Fernando López Aguilar (S&D), Isabel García Muñoz (S&D), Nicolás González Casares (S&D), Javi López (S&D), Estrella Durá Ferrandis (S&D)
At the proposal of a far-right party, the region of Murcia in Spain has introduced what is termed a ‘parental pin’, obliging schools, including public schools, to inform families of all extra activities organised within school hours, which are legally mandatory at national and regional level as part of the school curriculum. This move allows parents to choose whether or not to give their consent for these classes. Specifically, the measure aims to limit attendance at lessons that deal with discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation or with emotional and reproductive sexuality and gender equality.
- 1.Does the Commission deem this initiative to be compatible with the rights of the child, enshrined in Article 3.3 TEU, and the 2013 Commission recommendation on ‘Investing in children: breaking the cycle of disadvantage’, in particular, the need to ‘take the child’s best interests as a primary consideration and recognise children as independent rights-holders’, as referred to therein?
- 2.Furthermore, is this initiative within the spirit of the 2013 Paris Declaration, reinstated in the 2018 Council recommendation on ‘Promoting common values, inclusive education, and the European dimension of teaching’, specifically, fostering tolerant and democratic attitudes, social and citizenship competences, critical thinking and respect for diversity?