4.3 Apply individual rights and responsibilities in everyday  (Page 2/3)

Policy: “The majority will be satisfied”

PARENTS TO DECIDE ON WORSHIP IN SCHOOLSALL ORGANISATIONS HAVE BEEN HEARD –

Asmal Alit Redeemer

Parents will in future be able to decide on religious practice at school. Following the finalisation of the religious policy for schools that was announced in Parliament yesterday, the management bodies of schools may decide whether and how they want to present religious practice, provided that the principles of voluntary participation and equality are applied.

According to the policy, the multi-faith nature of a school will be acknowledged by separating learners for religious instruction according to religions.

But it would not be possible to separate learners from different faiths for the regular religious practice during assemblies.

The policy makes provision for religious practice on a rotating basis with consideration of the ratio in which the different religions are represented in the school. In principle, this would mean that the school would give preference to the religion of the majority of the learners.

The policy simultaneously warns that religious practice as part of the school day must be organised in such a way that the multi-faith nature of the country is reflected appropriately.

Further examples of how schools would be able to live out the multi-faith approach would be to read from the texts of the different religions and to offer a universal prayer or to observe a time of silence.

Notwithstanding increased freedom with regard to determining the nature of religious practice, the policy points out that certain aspects of religious practice, for instance special times of prayer, diets, or the wearing of particular items of clothing have to be respected.

Mr Kidder Small, Minister of Education, yesterday said that the voices of all religious organisations have been heard.

He is of the opinion that the policy will satisfy most South Africans. He also said that the policy is a carefully nuance document providing a broad framework within which well-meaning people could work out their own approach. Religious groups and political parties have expressed their support for the policy in spite of suggested amendments that were retained in the final document. Among these was the suggestion that learners should only commence religious instruction at high school level.

According to the policy, instruction will begin in grade R, in which learners will be asked to identify the symbols of their own religion.

Subsequently, they will be exposed to the different religions that are present in South Africa. According to the policy, religious instruction with educational outcomes is seen as a responsibility of the school.

Confessing or sectarian forms of religious doctrine are still seen as inappropriate in a democratic society holding on to diverse religious convictions.

Public schools should refrain from accepting a specific religion or a restricted set of religions that promote specific interests.

According to the policy, instruction in religious doctrine may not form part of the regular school programme, although schools are encouraged to make their facilities available for such programmes.