Petrik Insists on Contesting Nursery Law at Constitutional Court

Bratislava, February 23 (TASR) – Independent MP Simona Petrik is resolved to take the new Act on Nursery Schools to the Constitutional Court in order to cover all bases and make sure that parts deemed to be discriminatory are repealed, TASR learnt on Thursday.

Petrik’s statement came after Labour, Social Affairs and the Family Minister Jan Richter (Smer-SD) gave assurances to President Andrej Kiska on Wednesday that he’d work towards amending a contentious provision so that children of parents who have no job or don’t attend an education or training programme will also be eligible for a place at a nursery school. Petrik is encouraged by this, but she’s emphatic that the law contains additional controversial provisions.

“I’ll take Mr. Richter at his word that the change will be made. This will do away with one of the reasons why I’ve been planning to challenge the law at the Constitutional Court,” said Petrik, insisting that the law needs multiple changes, however.

Petrik went on to decry unequal treatment of children aged between two-three, who may be placed either in nursery schools that impart some education or those with possibly no educational benefits. The two types of facility are subject to distinct requirements regarding equipment, even if they care for children of the same age, which Petrik deems unfair.

“The challenge at the Constitutional Court that we’ve been working on with lawyers contests the constitutional character of the Act on Nursery Schools on several counts. The minister has promised to amend one of them, which I embrace. Having said that, parents need to be assured that the other discriminatory provisions won’t be applicable as of September either,” said Petrik.