At Walther von der Vogelweide high school in Bolzano, the start of the new school year on September 8th will begin with a Mass at a nearby church. After the Mass and attendance taken at the church, they will then walk each student up to their respective classrooms.
This is completely contrary to public education. But in addition, non-Catholic kids are forced into a situation where they need to show that they do not share that faith, taking away their privacy.
One parent complained to the school and the principal said they would take the child to class if they did not want to join in the Mass, but how does that help the child socially by singling her out?
It is absurd that this is still happening, and that schools still conduct religious rituals for the benefit of the students during class time. If we want to give schools the opportunity to be inclusive and fair as possible, religious rituals should not be encouraged in public education.
Source:
