Abstract This study examines primary school teachers' experiences and their perception about end-of-term ceremonies in a church. The purpose is to examine the end of term ceremonies based on teachers' experiences. How do teachers relate to school closing ceremonies? Since school closing ceremonies held in churches are a recurring topic in annual public debates, it can be interpreted as difficult to determine how teachers should relate to them. Different experiences and perceptions may influence traditions and cultural heritage, which in turn may risk being lost. This could result in schools not being equal in their practices. Aldrin (2018) emphasizes that changes have taken place regarding school ceremonies in church settings, which may indicate a process of secularization. By conducting this study, teachers and principals may gain insight into other teachers’ experiences and perspectives on the issue. This could contribute to a discussion on whether school closing ceremonies, from selected perspectives, should take place in a church setting.

The study was conducted through semi-structured interviews. A total of nine active teachers participated, with one interview serving as a pilot study and therefore not included in the results. The findings revealed that there is no consensus on whether school closing ceremonies should be held in a church setting. Previous research highlights that students often have negative attitudes toward religious education (Thanissaro, 2011), yet at the same time, they appreciate experiences such as school closing ceremonies in a church. Teachers do not have the mandate to make decisions in this matter, as it is the principal who holds that authority. However, teachers are still expected to interpret and relate to the national curriculum and guiding documents. Consequently, they are affected by the decision regarding the location of the school closing ceremony.

The conclusion is that teachers have different experiences and perceptions of the same concepts and situations. This suggests that there is no unified view regarding the subject being studied. Different interpretations of the same concept, take for example, “non-confessional” could be a reason why this debate has emerged. Therefore, the topic is relevant to investigate.