Member's Statement: Religion in schools policy still offends

African Christian Democratic Party MP Cheryllyn Dudley

4 June 2003

It has been suggested that government is backtracking on what has been perceived as the banning of meaningful religious observances at schools and the imposing of an official state religion education.

Changes to the policy, apparently allow school Governing bodies to decide if their schools will observe religious practices. Is it possible that the Minister has in fact relented on the issue of prayer? Does this change of wording actually allow governing bodies to decide to have prayers, other than multi faith prayers, for example prayer in the name of JESUS CHRIST if this is what the community want? I'm sure our Minister of Religion can't wait to answer this!

The reality is of course that the powers allocated to school governing bodies are extremely limited and not as meaningful as we would like to think. Some religious leaders are under the impression that the addition of this paragraph solves the problem but does it?

Firstly, governing bodies must conduct religious observances in accordance with the policy document, which is strongly opposed to single-faith observances. Secondly, in terms of the SA Schools Act, governing bodies have functions but no powers. Thirdly the constitution stipulates that observances must follow rules made by the appropriate public authorities. While you and I may want this to refer to governing bodies, the Minister will gladly enlighten us, as he and his department are confident that they are the relevant public authorities.

Of course section nine of the constitution is the trump card, and whether we like it or not, religion specific observances, especially Christian prayer, are perceived as discriminatory and as the Minister has said on many occasions, this is a problem and he will not tolerate what he calls Christian indoctrination.

Ideally this policy should be revisited from scratch, but to remedy some of the problems at least, offensive paragraphs opposed to single faith observances need to be deleted or reworded and school-governing bodies must be empowered to decide how religion education is to be conducted.

Allowing representatives of religious organisations to teach religion education only if they are also qualified teachers registered with the South African Council of Educators is absurd and an insult. Religion education needs no other justification than the right of parents to bring their children up in their faith.
Religious bodies, according to reports will have input into the curriculum. How exactly Hon Ministers do you envisage this happening?


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For more information: Cheryllyn Dudley MP at 082 890 6520
Media Liaison: Charmaine Horne at 084 370 3550 or 021 403 3307