Schools seek exemption from ethics and religion course

QUEBEC CITY - Two private schools seeking exemptions from the new ethics and religious culture course that will be implemented in all grades this fall are out of luck, says a spokesman for the province's Education Minister.

Paul Donovan is principal of Loyola High School in Notre-Dame-de-Grace, he says there are aspects of the course "that would come into conflict with what (the school) teaches its students in terms of ethical norms."

Donovan says the school's goal is to teach Catholic values, and they are ready to go to court on the issue.

"Where did it become the government's job to form the religious culture of Quebec?" he asks.

Donovan says at least 400 parents have also asked the government for their children to be exempted from the course.

A second school, Emmanuel Christian School in Dollard-des-Ormeaux has also asked for an exemption.

But, a spokesman for Education Minister Michele Courchesne says the course is mandatory.

"There is no exemption from the new course," says Jean-Pascal Bernier, "but private schools are allowed to offer complimentary religious training."

Fouzi Belaiboud, Principal of the Montreal Muslim High School, also in Notre-Dame-de-Grace says he is comfortable with the new course.

"We do have a parallel program," says Belaiboud. But he says the new course "can open students eyes to different religions. "