Abstract:

The Slovak education system offers pupils two educational subjects: Ethical Education and Religious Education. Religious Education is taught at schools as one of the compulsory subjects for the first and second educational stages (pupils from 6 to 18 years of age). Pupils can choose which type of education they will attend. In the paper, we compare the educational goals of both subjects defined in their curricula, and we define common and different elements. Furthermore, we compare the skills and competences acquired by pupils in the classes of Ethical Education and Religious Education. The result of the comparison is a model of a graduate of a particular educational subject. The comparison of the graduates allows us to show the basic differences between the pupils of Ethical Education and Religious Education. Based on the differences found, we suggest modifications in the curricula of both subjects to avoid unequal opportunities for the acquisition of education and skills which may occur as a result of the selection of a particular educational subject.

Keywords:

Equal Opportunities, Ethical Education, Religious Education, Curricula.