When teething problems with implementation of the Patriotism Act are dealt with, the playing of the national anthem every Monday morning will be as natural as the state symbol hanging in every classroom at the moment, Slovak National Party (SNS) caucus leader Rafael Rafaj told the TASR newswire on Wednesday, March 17.
Referring to opposition to the weekly performance of the anthem required by the new law, Rafaj said: “School is an educational process, during which people should gain skills, knowledge and habits that they will need for life. Many people may not agree with learning mathematics at school because they like the humanities. But I've never heard of anybody rejecting the compulsory teaching of mathematics because their brain inclines towards learning humanity subjects.”
The new law has prompted mass protests in opposition and it is thought that President Ivan Gašparovič may well send the bill back to parliament for re-drafting.
Compiled by Zuzana Vilikovská from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.
