Education for Citizenship and Human Rights (Spanish:Educación para la Ciudadanía y los Derechos Humanos, abbr.EpC) is the name of aschool subject designed for the last cycle ofprimary education and allsecondary education inSpain, introduced by the government ofJosé Luis Rodríguez Zapatero. This subject was born upon a recommendation of theCouncil of Europe that states the necessity of education forcitizenship, in order to promote civic and human values. Conservative elements in Spain have opposed this subject especially theCatholic Church.[1]
Several sectors as the conservativePeople's Party (Spain) and progressiveMovements of Pedagogical Renovation have opposed the introduction of this subject. Although outstanding leaders of the Catholic Church have been against it, labelling it as totalitarian,[2] other sectors such as CEAPA (Spanish Confederation of Student's Parents) do not disapprove ofEpC, understanding that the curriculum proposed by the government does not overflow the mere education of the most elementaryhuman rights. In some chartered Catholic schools, there are parents who have asked for theconscientious objection before the new subject.[3] This group received high publicity, especially by the Spanish, but as of September 2007 only 80 students have been asked for conscientious objection. As of January 2009, the Spanish Supreme Court has ruled that attendance of the Education for Citizenship course will be mandatory for all students.[4]