Background and Perspectives of Introducing the Course on Religion / Religions into Syllabi in Belarus (Based on the Results of Sociological Survey of 2011-2013, Minsk)
In order to get the full vision of the background and perspective of possible introduction of the course on religion into syllabi, the Centre for Research in Religious Studies at the Faculty of Philosophy and Social Sciences of Belarusian State University initiated in 2011 a complex study of the problem based on the combination of quantitative and qualitative sociological methods. In 2011-2013, in Minsk, questioning of senior pupils and school parents was conducted (2011, questionnaire), as well as questioning of school teachers and headmasters (2012-2013, focused interview, questionnaire). It was found that senior pupils and school parents do not mind the course on religion would be introduced into schools in case it is of secular nature, optional, and telling about various religions. Senior pupils and parents hold hand-they prefer to make their opinion about the course and then decide. School teachers add that, in case the course is introduced as compulsory, it is better it would be studied in all stages of school education and only by the professionally educated specialists. The analysis of the collected data is provided in the context of characterizing religious situation, as well as legal principles and the practice of collaboration of religious and educational institutions in Belarus.