Religionsunterricht#

Religious Instruction, introduced in Austria by Protestants and Catholics in the 16th century to make children aware of the differences in the religious denominations and to strengthen their beliefs. Religious instruction was so important that it took first place in curricula and on school reports (in 1938-1945 that position was held by physical education). In the age of Liberalism the state took on the administration and control of all aspects of education (School/Church Act 1868), only religious instruction was left to the church. The Religious Instruction Act (1949, amendments 1957-1988) provides that legally recognised churches and religious communities ( Religious Denominations) can teach religious instruction at most public school and at schools with public status as a mandatory subject (providing for the possibility of non-attendance). In schools where the majority of pupils adhere to the Christian faith, crosses have to be put up in the classrooms. The curricula for religious instruction are set up by the churches; religious instruction teachers and inspectors are either employed by the federal or provincial authority (upon recommendation) or they are appointed by the respective church. Catholic religious instruction is currently regulated by a Treaty between the Holy See and the Republic of Austria (1962, amended in 1971), Protestant and Greek Oriental religious instruction is regulated by federal law (1961, 1967).