With a bikini or burkini - swimming lessons are compulsory

In principle, religious rules of conduct do not justify an exemption from swimming lessons. School Minister Dorothee Feller (CDU) has now pointed this out in an answer to a request from the AfD parliamentary group. In “swimwear that corresponds to Muslim clothing regulations”, it is reasonable for schoolgirls of this faith to take part in swimming lessons together.

"Learning to swim is an important goal of school education and training, which should be achieved by all pupils if possible," emphasized the minister. "Mastering safe swimming is not only a cultural and survival technique, but also a key means of creating social participation."

The framework specifications for school sports stipulate that all pupils must wear “suitable swimming clothing”. "In accordance with the case law of the Federal Administrative Court, the state government sees wearing the burkini as a suitable opportunity to reconcile the fundamental right to freedom of belief and the state's right to make decisions in the school system," explained Feller.

In addition, burkinis in public baths are "classified as hygienically harmless". It is important that items of clothing worn for religious reasons do not impair safety.

Using an example from a school, the AfD questioned why bathing suits or burkinis were intended as swimwear for girls, “but expressly no bikini”. The school minister made it clear that there is no state regulation banning bikinis in swimming lessons. Schools could, however, set their own specific rules for their pedagogical work within the framework of the general guidelines.