Starting with the next academic year, 2012/2013, it will be compulsory for publicly funded schools in Andalucia to offer evangelical religious teachings following an agreement between the Ministry of Education and the Evangelical Council of Andalucia.
Under the agreement, the Education Authority will take the ‘necessary measures’ to ensure that students of upper Secondary education, Primary and High School in public and private facilities have the right, if they so choose, to receive evangelical teachings provided that, in the case of private schools, the exercise of this right does not conflict with the character of the centre or affects those who would be interested in entering the centre.
The Evangelical Council sees the move as a step towards religious freedom and it is expected that around 4,000 students will request such teachings.