Uruguay’s Supreme Court of Justice ruled Sept. 21 that Mennonites have the constitutional right to choose education options for their children outside state-authorized institutions, such as homeschool or foreign online platforms.

The 3-2 decision dismissed an appeal filed by the National Public Education Administration, concluding a more than two-year legal battle involving the families of two girls from a Mennonite community in Florida Department, which is similar to a state or province.

El Pais reported the ruling interprets Uruguay’s National Constitution to guarantee the right of parents to choose their children’s education, provided that effective learning is ensured. LaRed21 reported courts at lower levels ruled in favor of the parents, finding that the girls regularly attended classes at a Mennonite community center and utilized Homelife Academy, a U.S.-based online institute used internationally.

Before the ruling, homeschooling was not explicitly legal in Uruguay.

“The state’s obligation to guarantee access to education does not imply an educational monopoly nor does it authorize the imposition of mandatory attendance at a specific state or private institution,” wrote the justices in their majority opinion.

The two dissenting justices argued compulsory education requires formal classes in state-authorized institutions to guarantee educational oversight, and suggested homeschooling can hinder social integration and “acquisition of experiences necessary for democratic coexistence.”