Social & Moral Issues Education

EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IGNORES PROTESTS SUNDAY TIMES, 20 April 2003 State pushes policy on religion in schools Cornia Pretorius The Department of Education is pushing ahead with its policy on religion in education - despite strong opposition from churches and religious organisations. This week the Council of Education Ministers, which consists of the national education minister and nine provincial ministers, said in a statement that the policy would be finalised by June. The policy maintained that religious education belonged in the home and in the church and that schools should offer religion education that placed all the different religions on an equal footing. A panel of experts who represent all the major religions, will help the education authorities finalise the policy. The policy recommended that religious observance should not form part of assemblies as it could alienate pupils who belong to a religion other than the one practised at such occasions. Duncan Hindle, deputy director-general for general education and training in the Department of Education, said religion education in grades 1 to 9 would form only a small part of the curriculum of the subject life orientation. He added that religion in education in the further education and training phase (grades 10 to 12) was still being discussed. Victor Mathonsi of the National Association of School Governing Bodies said the association was still formulating a reply to the policy. He said a lot of debate was needed on the policy. The Rev Moss Ntlha, general- secretary of the Evangelical Alliance of South Africa, which represents 30 national denominations, 30 mission and service agencies and eight theological colleges, said the "whole policy had to be set aside". "Learners are left with the impression that religion has no role in society," said Ntlha The closing date for comment on the policy is Tuesday. The Education Department has postponed the deadline for comments on its review of the cost of education to the end of April. This crucial report proposes the provision of free education for poor children. _______________________________________________ Pleased read our disclaimer   Back to Social Issues