Article 7 – School System

(1) The entire school system shall be under the supervision of the state.

(2) Parents or legal guardians have the right to decide whether their child participates in religious instruction.

(3) Religious instruction shall form part of the regular curriculum in public schools, with the exception of non-denominational schools. Without prejudice to the state’s supervisory rights, religious instruction shall be given in accordance with the principles of the religious communities. No teacher shall be obliged against their will to give religious instruction.

(4) The right to establish private schools is guaranteed. Private schools as substitutes for public schools require the approval of the state and are subject to the laws of the federal states. Approval shall be granted if the private schools do not fall below the standards of public schools in their educational aims, facilities, and the academic qualifications of their teaching staff, and if segregation of pupils according to the financial means of their parents is not encouraged. Approval shall be denied if the economic and legal status of the teaching staff is not sufficiently secured.

(5) A private primary school shall be permitted only if the educational authority recognizes a special pedagogical interest or, upon application by legal guardians, if it is to be established as a community school, a denominational school, or a school based on a particular worldview, and if no public primary school of that type exists in the municipality.

(6)Preparatory schools shall remain abolished.