In the state of Brandenburg, the subject of life-education/ethics/religious studies is taught in the general public schools. The subject serves to impart the foundations for a value-oriented life, of knowledge about traditions of philosophical ethics and principles of ethical judgment, as well as about religions and beliefs. It is a compulsory subject. Pupils whose parents declare to the school that their child should receive religious education instead of the subject of life-education/ethics/religious studies, and prove the attendance of such a lesson, are freed from the obligation to attend classes in the subject of life-education/ethics/religious studies. From the age of 14, the pupils decide themselves (§ 11 (3) School Law Brandenburg).