A movement in Berlin sought to replace the current required ethics curriculum with religion classes. But the measure failed at the ballot box as voters decided public schools should remain free of religious education.
Proponents of Berlin's status quo say the city's compulsory ethics classes allow pupils from different faiths, or none, to jointly confront issues and promote tolerance.
Faith groups argue that children are missing out on receiving a sound education in religious values.
In maintaining a secular curriculum, Berlin remains the exception in Germany. The rest of the country does include mandatory education in religious texts and traditions.
