Poland’s education minister urges respect for religious symbols after protest over cross removal
Poland’s education minister has urged respect for religious symbols and called for calm after protests over the removal of a cross from a classroom at a primary school in northern Poland.
Polish Education Minister Barbara Nowacka.Photo: PAP/Szymon Pulcyn
The incident occurred in mid-December at a school in Kielno, a village in the north of the country, where a teacher removed a cross from a classroom wall and threw it into a trash bin, according to media reports.
Prosecutors have opened an investigation into a possible offence against the religious feelings of pupils, and the teacher has been suspended pending the outcome of the case, state news agency PAP reported.
A protest was held outside the school on Thursday, attended by lawmakers from the conservative Law and Justice (PiS) party, representatives of the far-right Confederation of the Polish Crown and parents of one of the pupils.
’Politically motivated’ protest
Education Minister Barbara Nowacka said the protest was „politically motivated,” warning that the incident was being used for political gain.
„Whether someone is religious or not, we know that the cross is an important symbol,” Nowacka told a news conference on Thursday. „That is an undisputed fact.”
She cautioned against what she described as premature judgments and urged opposition politicians not to inflame tensions by turning the case into a political dispute.
The minister also appealed for calm and peace in the school environment, saying it was a difficult moment for the children involved.
Nowacka called on all parties to respect one another amid the ideological dispute and stressed the need to respect religious symbols.
Local authorities have urged the community to refrain from speculation, hate speech and the spread of unverified information.
Officials said a new cross has been hung in the classroom, while the original cross has been secured by police as evidence.
Psychological and educational support has been provided to pupils and their parents, the PAP news agency reported.
According to Polish media, the incident took place during an English lesson on December 15. The teacher allegedly asked pupils to remove the cross, and when they refused, removed it herself and threw it away.
’Such things must not be done’: cardinal
Polish Cardinal Grzegorz Ryś condemned the incident on Friday, saying that „regardless of someone’s beliefs or personal circumstances, such things must not be done.”
„The primary task of a school is not only to impart knowledge, but also to educate,” he said, adding that this includes shaping young people in tolerance and respect for others and their beliefs.
(pm/gs)
Source: IAR, PAP
Radio Poland
