#2In Deutschland können Eltern bis zum 14. Lebensjahr ihres Kindes entscheiden, ob es in der Schule am…
In Germany, parents can decide until their child’s 14th year of age whether he or she will participate in school in…
Quick Controls
The correct answer is:
participates in religious education
Religionsunterricht teilnimmt
Independent study resource, not a BAMF website. Translations are study aids; the exam is in German.
Quick explanation
Parents decide on participation in religious education until the child is 14.
Why is this correct?
The rule concerns the child’s religious upbringing, so religious education is the relevant school subject.
Background
Religious education is a regular school subject in most state schools (Article 7 of the Basic Law). Because religion is a personal matter of conscience, nobody may be forced to take part. Until the child’s 14th birthday, the parents decide whether the child attends. From the age of 14, a child is considered “of religious age” and decides on their own religion – and therefore on religious education. Pupils who do not attend usually take a substitute subject such as ethics.
Why are the other answers wrong?
History, politics and languages are compulsory subjects. Parents cannot simply withdraw their child from them, because the state has an educational mandate. Only religious education offers this choice, because freedom of belief is involved.
Memory tip
14 and religion belong together: at 14, the child decides on their own faith.
Legal basis: Art. 7 Basic Law (GG) ↗, Sec. 5 Religious Education of Children Act ↗
Leben in Deutschland © 2026