Papers by Emiliya N . Dafkova
This article examines the concept proposed by the Ministry of Education and Science for the intro... more This article examines the concept proposed by the Ministry of Education and Science for the introduction of a compulsory school subject entitled Virtues and Religions in Bulgarian schools. It analyses the historical preconditions of the proposed reform, its philosophical underpinnings, and its principal pedagogical objectives, with particular emphasis on its secular and integrative character. The discussion addresses both the potential benefits of compulsory religious and moral education and the key risks and challenges associated with its practical implementation. The Bulgarian concept is further considered in the light of contemporary European educational models, outlining the conditions under which the subject may contribute to the formation of morally responsible and culturally literate pupils.
Emiliya Dafkova, 2025
The article examines the historical evolution and contemporary discourse surrounding religious ed... more The article examines the historical evolution and contemporary discourse surrounding religious education in Bulgaria, viewed through the lens of the enduring tension between secular and religious paradigms. It traces the development of religious formation—from the Christianization of the Bulgarian people in the Middle Ages, through the National Revival and the communist era, to the post-communist transition and recent efforts to incorporate the subject "Virtues and Religions" into the national curriculum. The analysis highlights that the perceived opposition between secular and religious education is often rooted in historical stereotypes and ideological legacies rather than in any fundamental incompatibility. Emphasis is placed on the need for a balanced, legally grounded, and culturally sensitive approach to the integration of religious education, consistent with constitutional principles safeguarding freedom of belief.
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Papers by Emiliya N . Dafkova