Acta Francisci Pp. 181

Article 20

§ 1. Church educational institutions shall be subject to the authority of the Church. In particular, the State of Palestine shall recognize the Church's discretion in the matter of the appointment and dismissal of heads and other teaching and non-teaching staff, in the admission and dismissal of students, in determining the contents of the teach- ing curricula, in accordance with Palestinian law and provided the required approval or endorsement by the competent authority at the Ministry of Higher Education is obtained.

§ 2. In cases where Church educational institutions teach the curricula of the State of Palestine, the Palestinian authorities may exercise supervision in the measure necessary to ensure that the curricula are properly taught by the qualified teaching staff.

§ 3. Palestinian authorities funding of Church schools attended by pu- pils within the age range, to which compulsory education applies, shall be equal to that given to Palestinian schools. Outside of that age range, the State of Palestine funding of Church educational in- stitutions shall not be inferior to that given to comparable institu- tions.

§ 4. Palestinian authorities will guarantee the right of Christian pupils to Christian religious education in public schools in coordination with the relevant ecclesiastical authority.

Article 21

Church educational institutions of any kind may at their sole discretion admit any student who applies, or whose parents or guardians apply, to attend them.

Article 22

The State of Palestine shall recognize academic degrees granted by pontifically recognized universities in accordance with applicable Pal- estinian law.

Article 23

§ 1. The Church shall have access to media controlled by the State of Palestine, on an equitable basis.