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In an acknowledgment of the realities of the digital age — and of competition from the Web site Wikipedia — Encyclopaedia Britannica will focus primarily on its online encyclopedias and educational curriculum for schools. The last print version is the 32-volume 2010 edition, which weighs 129 pounds and includes new entries on global warming and the Human Genome Project.

Since it was started 11 years ago, Wikipedia has moved a long way toward replacing the authority of experts with the wisdom of the crowds. The site is now written and edited by tens of thousands of contributors around the world, and it has been gradually accepted as a largely accurate and comprehensive source, even by many scholars and academics.

The Britannica, the oldest continuously published encyclopedia in the English language, has become a luxury item with a $1,395 price tag

“And if the official school licence is once again denied, maybe we’ll have better luck in a couple of years’ time”

The school, which has operated independently without state ratification since the autumn of 2010, applied for the official school licence again last year.      The licence would give the school the right to issue school certificates and receive state aid.      Currently the school perseveres with the help of the EUR 250-300 student fees and voluntary contributions.      In the autumn, 15 year-round pupils started with the school. In addition, there are a certain number of “seasonal students”.

The government can grant private communities or foundations the right to organise basic education, if it can be established that there is a need for it.      The curricula of the school and the finances of the organiser also have to be in order. The granting of the licence is discretionary.