Kalopia

[Aethan]

"Yes to more local autonomy; no to religious extremism rule" says Education minister as Education reform moves to Parliament

Eduation minister Stefania Tantaloti criticizes latest comments by "minority-rights advocates" as she puts forward a comprehensive education reform

The Kalopian Herald — May 5731

HELIOS – The populist government of Kalopia, currently holding 67 of the 100 seats of the Kalopian parliament, has more than enough majority to pass legislation on its own, without having to rely on the rest of parties present in the legislature. And one of those reforms, put forward by the ministry of Justice led by Phalanx minister Spiro Koureas, has seemingly angered some so-called "minority-rights advocates" within Kalopia, as they claim its reforms could be used as a "renewed campaign against ethnic and religious minorities in Kalopia".

Now, Education minister and KA deputy Stefania Tantaloti has hit back at the allegations, accusing those who are pointing fingers at the government of “religious extremists” and “regionalist and separatist parties’ activists”

“Kalopian Spring says yes to local autonomy, because we believe that for some issues within our nation, the closest a representative is to its people it’s the better to gain knowledge of how things work and how things can be solved; but we say no to religious extremism rule. This so-called “minority rights advocates” would do better by doing research and see how other minorities, such as women, lgbt people or similar, would be treated if we allowed minority religious groups to cop the power in our country. Kalopian Spring is the closest ally regionalist parties such as Wantuni Freedom will find in the government, but they can’t expect us to support that, under the guise of “protecting minority rights”, we allow religious extremism to be in charge of some regions in our great country. That’s a no. In fact, it is precisely Wantuni Freedom perhaps the one that might need to take an inside look, since other regionalist parties such as the Ba’athists have supported the criticized bill”

The minister has also taken her time to defend her new Educational reform law, which aims at making college practically tuition-free and extend the public higher educational system to vocational schools, put a limit on charter schools and banning segregation nationwide. “This reform is good for our nation, and I can’t see how anyone could vote against it”

Asked about the decision of his party colleague and former Health Minister Theseus Moraitou of resigning over the abortion reform, the minister has said that she “shares his colleague concerns” but that Kalopian Spring will keep working to restore wider abortion freedoms.