Religious education in Nordrhein-Westfalen is a regular subject at all public schools. Every pupil who visits a public school is obliged to participate in the religious instruction of his confession.
Parents decide on their children's participation in religious education. After reaching the age of 14, the pupils themselves decide to participate (§ 31school law Nordrhein-Westfalen). Pupils who do not attend religious education have to attend Philosophy as mandatory subject (§ 32 school law Nordrhein-Westfalen)