Social & Moral Issues Education

POLICY FOR THE OPPRESSION OF RELIGION IN EDUCATION Media statement by the Pestalozzi Trust 28th June 2003 The Pestalozzi Trust has completed its initial analysis on the proposed policy on religion in education that was published in the Government Gazette on 23rd June 2003. Contrary to some early commentators, the Trust finds no reason for joy. The document confirms that the ideological war, declared at the ANC conference in December, is raging in full force and that it is indeed aimed at education, religion and the family as explicitly stated in the conference documents. TIMING: The Trust notes with dismay that, just as on the previous occasion, this policy was published at the commencement of the winter school holidays, (after half the schools have broken up) and that com­ments are due at the end of the holidays (before half the schools have reconvened after the holidays). The closing date is 18 July – 25 days after promulgation. The public is, therefore, not given one month for comments as widely proclaimed. The stakeholders – children, parents, teachers and churches – are, by this tactic, again denied the oppor­tunity to study the document and to consult effectively. We contend that this repeated pattern belies the minister’s claims that he is engaged in a democratic process of consultation. His actions are consistent with a cynical pretence at consultation. NO CHANGE FROM PREVIOUS VERSIONS: We note that such changes as there have been to the document are at most cosmetic in nature. None of the major concerns expressed by children, par­ents and religious communities have been effectively addressed. In summary, they are: Multifaith remains – despite the minister’s protestations – religious instruction and religious observance and is the only religion allowed as part of the formal education in state schools. The previous provisions for separating single-faith religious observance from the formal education programme have only been described in greater detail. These provisions have serious invasive implications not commonly understood when the present document is read in isolation: Read with the previously promulgated policies referred to in paragraph 17 of this proposed policy, the policy will necessarily determine learning materials, prescribed works and assessment that may be used in schools. From evidence already collected in schools we know that, as in the USA, even novels and poems may not give “inequitable” preference to any one religion. In accordance with Sec 51 of the SA Schools Act, these prohibitions will apply directly to home education and, through the “national assessment system and procedure” impact also pro­grammes, learning materials and assessment of children educated in private schools. Indeed, the Trust already has in its possession recent letters from education departments stating unlawfully that private schools may not set faith-based criteria for admission. The policy still affirms and entrenches the imposition of the “multi-traditional” topic of “Religion Education” in all public and private schools as well as in home education. If anything, the latest document only states more explicitly that instruction in Religion Education will not be confined to “mere technical transmission of factual information” about other religions, but will be used to compel children to adopt a range of prescribed behaviours and values. EFFECT AND LIKELY CONSEQUENCES: The Trust is greatly concerned at this further unlawful attempt by the regime to impose state approved values and beliefs on children by abusing its otherwise legitimate powers. The present policy reinforces what the education minister chooses to call a “raft of laws and policies” and that advance the ideological war. Some of the effects that can be foreseen are: Children and parents of many faiths will find themselves in the oppressive position of having to choose between obedience to the state and obedience to God. South African society, which has historically escaped widespread religious conflict may now be prodded and goaded by its own government into religious conflicts between citizens and the state. We fear such a development may even be an intended consequence of the present and associated policies. CONCLUSION: We conclude that this policy will not promote national unity, as it claims. It is much more likely to incite conflict. In this respect it is fully compatible with the stated intentions of our revolutionary government in its declared ideological war. We can choose to believe what the governing party has stated about its ideological objectives and interpret their actions accordingly. Or we can arrogantly continue to believe that “they don’t really mean that”. The most glaring manifestation of the ideological war is the manner in which the policy document persistently denies its own purpose and intended outcome even as it puts them into effect. It relies on our preference for seeing the good bits and ignoring the rest. The document is so blatant in this respect that it appears as a caricature of Sun Tsu and Machiavelli – who taught the strategy of pretending the opposite to what is happening in reality. FURTHER INFORMATION: Contact Leendert van Oostrum 012 330 1337 / leendert@pestalozzi.org   ==================================================== Win the culture war for our generation. Rebuild our nation on a Christian foundation. CHRISTIAN VIEW is a news and information service on issues of concern to Christians in South Africa. To receive Christianview, email receive@christianview.org Please forward and photocopy Christian View to give to friends and put on church or society notice boards. 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