Religious education.

What is religious education?

The law states that every public primary school and partnership tailored education school must offer religious education when parents ask for it. This is one hour per week during which children receive lessons in a religious or philosophical belief at their own primary school. The direction is chosen by the parent. Religious education is given by subject teachers from various religious and philosophical beliefs. These subject teachers are not affiliated with your child’s primary school.

Freedom of choice for parents

Parents have the freedom to choose a specific belief, such as Buddhist, Hindu, humanistic, Islamic, Jewish, Catholic or Protestant. There is also the option to choose lessons where subject teachers from different beliefs give joint lessons.

The lessons are only for children of the parents who have chosen this. Classmates who do not join stay with their own teacher during that time. Schools ensure that core subjects, arithmetic and language, are not given during the hour of religious education.

How to apply

As a parent, you apply for religious education for your child with the school principal. The school principal then investigates whether there are more parents who want religious education for their child. You can also contact the school participation council of your child’s school. They can help think about offering religious education at your child’s school.

The school must include information about religious education in the school guide.

No costs for parents and schools

Parents and schools do not have to pay for religious education. Religious education is paid for by the government. The application for religious education goes through the Center for Religious Education.