Pupils forced to abandon culture

IT is sad to note that we have educational institutions who are intolerant to religious and cultural practices. Here I am referring to Westering High that has banned bona fide pupils from school activities because of their religious beliefs and practices (“Bay pupils punished for religious beliefs”, August 15).

The school is hiding behind its code of conduct and its lawyers to enforce its unconstitutional practices. These pupils did not ask to be born into a culture that would be discriminated against.

Our former Model C schools are flouting the right to association and education by forcing pupils to abandon or suppress their religious and cultural practices.

It is no wonder that the Xhosa boys at these schools are only allowed to go to the mountain for their initiation after matric as it is not accept- able that they wear their traditional dress during school time. Another school even expelled a pupil for going to the mountain against the “wishes and instruction” of the powers that be.

Stuart Hayward, please be brave and stand up for the decision that the school made and not hide behind the lawyers and the school governing body. How can you allow a teacher or teachers to decide what is acceptable at the school?

The parents should please oppose these draconian laws that the Model C school imposes on them in the name of acceptable educational practices.

I salute the parents and pupils for standing up for their religious beliefs and practices. We should all stand up for our rights.