Belgrade, August 17 - The Education and Sport Ministry issued a statement on Friday saying that it had received the syllabuses for all the confessions on August 16 and that the syllabuses were now before a commission to examine them and recommend for approval or emendation.

"After that, the syllabuses will be published in the Official Gazette and they become valid, a precise date, however, cannot be specified at the moment. As soon as the syllabuses have been published, a prospectus will be made for pupils and parents and delivered to all schools. Parents will have to decide whether their child will take the elective courses within seven days," it says in the statement.

Religious Education textbooks have not yet been submitted for approval to the Education and Sport Ministry. The Religions Ministry has not yet established a list of candidates for the positions of religious instructors, nor has it submitted the list to the Education and Sport Ministry for approval.

The expert team set up by the Education and Sport Ministry is currently working on the syllabus and name for the alternative subject. The Ministry is to receive a proposal by August 20.

"After that, the syllabuses become valid and are published in the Official Gazette. Schools are sent prospectuses, a and pupils and parents have to decide whether they will choose one of the subjects within seven days."

According to the Education Ministry, textbooks for the alternative subject have so far not been submitted for approval. A list of teachers to conduct alternative subject course will be drawn up after pupils and parents have made their decision and it is the responsibility of the schools where that course is offered.

The elective courses named Religious Education and Alternative Subject are not to be taught from the very beginning of the oncoming school year and pupils and parents will be able to opt for one, both of neither of the subjects, says the statement from the Education and Sport Ministry.

"Once a choice has been made, attendance becomes obligatory for those pupils who have opted for one of the courses."

The Decree on the organization and implementation of religious education and alternative subject in primary and secondary schools is enforced by the Education and Sport Ministry, so the information and recommendations issued by the Ministry are reliable, the statement concludes.