Satu Mare Kindergarten Faces Controversy Over "Communism Lesson" Allegations; Parents and Officials Respond

Satu Mare, Romania – A local kindergarten in Satu Mare has found itself at the center of a public debate following allegations of conducting a "communism lesson" for its students. Parents involved in the activity have vehemently denied these claims, asserting that the event was purely educational and focused on traditional childhood games and the lives of their grandparents during a past era. One parent, who participated in the activity, stated, "It was a welcoming with smiles, with joy. It was not to teach children anything bad. Nicolae Ceaușescu was not glorified at all. The entire activity was about the games of childhood." She further explained that children were encouraged to speak with their grandparents about their own childhood games and activities in kindergarten, connecting them to the past in a playful, non-political manner. Another parent echoed these sentiments, adding, "No character like Nicolae Ceaușescu was presented to the children, and he was not glorified at all." She clarified that a book featuring Ceaușescu was present but not presented to the children, and that the children were too excited about meeting their peers to notice such details. Ruxandra Chivulescu, the general school inspector, confirmed that the School Inspectorate has formed a committee to investigate the matter. "The committee will investigate the facts on site tomorrow morning and will then prepare a report," Chivulescu stated. "This report will be presented to the Board of Administration, where a decision will be made regarding the initiation of disciplinary proceedings." She emphasized that the activity was intended to be educational, familiarizing children with the childhood of their grandparents, and acknowledged that the period chosen was a sensitive one in the country's history. However, she noted that the name of Nicolae Ceaușescu was not brought up in discussions. Szilagyi Renata, the director of the Samus kindergarten, corroborated the parents' accounts. "From what I know, there were some outdoor games in the kindergarten yard. Children had to write on the blackboard with chalk, like we did in our time when we were students," Renata explained. "They played 'duck, duck, goose' and other games from our childhood. It was not exaggerated with anything. The games from our childhood were nicely explained to the children." She also mentioned that historical materials, including a book and decorations, were borrowed from the County Museum, further indicating an educational rather than propagandistic intent. The director concluded that the investigation's findings would determine further actions.