Government welcomes religion in school ruling

THE DEPARTMENT of Basic Education welcomed the ruling by the South Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg that public schools may not promote one religion to the exclusion of others.

Organisation for Religious Education and Democracy (Ogod) brought the application to the high court last month against six schools – Laerskool Randhart, Laerskool Baanbreker, Laerskool Garsfontein, Höerskool Linden, Höerskool Oudtshoorn and Langenhoven Gimnasium.

Ogod argued that at the schools religious preference resulted in the suppression of scientific teachings of evolution. They said their religious ethos was a form of coercion and an abuse of pupils’ rights.

Department spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga said the ruling was consistent with the department’s policy informed by the SA Schools Act and the constitution that no one religion should be promoted above another.

“The DBE did not oppose the relief sought by the applicants, however monitored the case very closely as it was always going to have an impact on all public schools.

“The application was opposed by Solidarity who represented the schools in question,” he said.

Mhlanga quoted Judge Willem van der Linde’s ruling saying religious observances could be conducted at state or state-aided institutions, provided that those observances followed rules made by the appropriate public authorities, that they were conducted on an equitable basis, and attendance was free and voluntary.

“We remind school governing bodies to review their rules to ensure that they are in compliance with legislation,” Mhlanga said.

The ACDP welcomed the ruling.