Brazil: Public schools debate about religion in the classroom

Randa Vieira

Public schools in Brazil debate whether religious manifestations such as opening prayers should be allowed in the classroom. The debates started after the State of Bahia enacted a law making it mandatory for public schools to start the day with a Catholic prayer. In 2012, The State Dictrict Court ruled that the law is inconstitutional. The case is now pending in the Brazilian Supreme Court. Public schools across the country are split as to whether praying in class is against the right to freedom of religion or not.