Published: 2019-07-11

The Model of Religious Education in the Republic of Estonia

Justyna Ciechanowska , Katarzyna Szwed
Zeszyty Prawnicze
Section: Artykuły
https://doi.org/10.21697/zp.2019.19.2.05

Abstract

Estonia is a country which has introduced an optional non-denominational form of religious education in schools. The regulation of this issue is important from the point of view of relations between the Church(es) and the Estonian State. The Constitution of the Republic of Estonia says that there is no established church of Estonia, and guarantees an equal legal status to all churches and religious associations. The Constitution does not mention religious education. The issue has not received in-depth treatment in the legislation, either. Nonetheless, in 2010 a substantial amendment was introduced to the relevant provisions. The curriculum for the subject was unified and currently it serves as a mandatory guideline for all the schools. Estonia is considered as a very secularized country. This is due to the country’s history, which has also determined the attitude of Estonians to religious education. Its role is marginalized in the country’s system of education, though at the same time the issue has raised a number of controversies.

Keywords:

religious education, freedom of conscience and religion, church-state relations, Estonia, secular state, the Baltic States.

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Citation rules

Ciechanowska, J., & Szwed, K. (2019). The Model of Religious Education in the Republic of Estonia. Zeszyty Prawnicze, 19(2), 163–186. https://doi.org/10.21697/zp.2019.19.2.05

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