EDT303Q

Religion Education
ASSIGNMENT 2
Questions
Write four paragraphs on the topics below. Each paragraph must be between 100 150 words
in length.
Paragraph topics:
1. Write a paragraph explaining how the values in the Constitution are expressed in the values
of the National Policy on Religion and Education.
2. Write a paragraph on how the National Policy on Religion and Education guides the
application of Constitutional values in the school environment. Give examples from the
Policy to support your answer.
3. Write a paragraph on two issues that relate to religious freedom and/or religious expression
that may arise in a school environment.
4. Write a paragraph on how the above two issues should be dealt with according to the
National Policy on Religion and Education.
Question 1
There are ten central values found in the Constitution of South Africa that were based on the Bill
of Rights. These values include; democracy, social justice and equity, freedom of person, belief
and expression, human dignity, an open society, responsibility and accountability, mutual
respect and the rule of law and reconciliation.
Naturally when the National Policy on Religion and Education was formed, it was important to
base these constitutional values at the core of the curriculum. The main National Curriculum
Statement values include; social justice, a healthy environment, human rights and inclusivity.
The core values just mentioned above outlines learning and teaching as a whole and aims at
each learner individually. Each learners potential should be recognised and nurtured in order
for their potential to be realised. This is why the South African School Act emphasises
inclusivity, environmental and social justice, adherence to equality and taking into account
poverty redress.
The values of the National Policy on Religion and Education include six core values. These
values are; equity, tolerance, diversity, openness, accountability and social honour. Equity in
education aims at developing a culture of respect with regards to diverse cultures, religions and
traditions. Tolerance is important in the sense of acknowledging different religious or secular
worldviews within a diverse society. Diversity of religions, cultures and different ethnic groups
should be respected while multi-religious knowledge and understanding should be promoted.

A spirit of openness should be promoted within educational institutions without any attempts to
indoctrinate learners into any specific religion or belief system. Accountability of religions should be
enforced as they are resources for learning and cultivate moral values and ethical commitments
which contribute to nation building. Social honour should be enforced which means that within a
school setting all cultures, religions and secular backgrounds should be embraced without any
form of denigration.
Question 2
South Africa is home to many different cultures, languages and religions and through the
application of the Constitutional values in the school environment, unity of purpose can be
created. Learners religious views should be equally recognised and respected just as their
rights should be protected. The National Policy on Religion and Education protects young
people from religious discrimination and coercion. The Policy therefore doesnt favour or
discriminate against a specific religion or faith. The Policy affirms the importance of the study of
religion and religious observances and displays respect towards religious faith.
By enshrining the basic values found in the Constitution a framework in the education system is
provided for determining the relationship between education and religion. The Constitution gives
all people the right to practice their freedom of conscience, religion, thought, belief and opinion
but also prohibits people from unfairly discriminating against others on these same grounds.
Therefore an individuals rights may not limit others from expressing and pursuing their rights. It
is a fine balance that protects citizens from any discriminatory practices based on religion.
Within this constitutional framework, public schools are responsible for promoting the core
values of a democratic society. The curriculum and extra-curricular activities, school uniforms
and event diets should be consistent and promote these core values that include; tolerance,
multilingualism, accountability, social honour and openness.
Public schools are responsible for providing broad based teaching with regards of religious
activities. Religious studies taught in public schools encompasses a variety of religions and
commonalities which is opposite from lessons taught in religious institutions whose lessons are
nurturing in a particular religion. The state is non-prescriptive about the implementation of
religious studies and schools, parents and communities have the right to decide how it should
be conducted.
The National Policy on Religion and Education guides the application of Constitutional values in
the school environment as follows: Equity is applied through the equal treatment of all South

African religions and traditions. Tolerance and respect are applied by acknowledging all the
different world views shared. Schools should also recognise religion education as a way of
teaching moral values and accountability. Within the school environment it is not allowed to
indoctrinate learners to a specific religion but rather embrace and promote multi-religious
knowledge, appreciation and understanding without offending or demeaning any religions.
Question 3
First issue
Earlier in August this year a pupil from a private school in Johannesburg and his debate team had
shown their support to the Palestinians in Gaza and a two state solution. Joshua Broomberg who
is the deputy head boy at King Davids and two fellow learners in the South African National
Debating team wore Palestinian scarves to show their opposition to the human rights violations
carried out against the people of Palestine. By wearing these Keffiyehs they wanted to indicate
their sympathy with the civilians who have died in Gaza due to recent attacks.
Joshua Broomberg is Jewish himself and faced opposition in the form that the Jewish
community called for him to be removed from his position as Deputy Head-boy and be removed
from the Schools Representative Council for having disgraced his school. The Jewish
community had drawn up a petition and insisted that the South African Jewish Board of
Education (SABJE) and the King Davids school take disciplinary action against the learner. The
principal of the school, Gavin Budd and Rabbi Craig Kacev received the petition signed by 1300
people.
Joshua Broomberg who is also the captain of the South African National Debating team
defended his actions by stating that all the citizens of Israel have the right to live in peace and
security. He also added: I am proud to be a South African Jew, and I am proud to attend a
Jewish Day School. I am also a Zionist.

Joshua said that he took a stand on the

Israeli/Palestinian conflict due to the humanity issue. He also said: We stand with the
thousands of civilians who have lost their lives in the conflict. We stand with a people who do
not yet have a state to protect themselves. We stand with the innocents. We stand for two
states. We do not stand against Israel.
While Joshua Broomberg loves Israel and its people, he believes that he does not have to
accept their actions. Joshua said that the motive behind their action was to take a stand for all
the thousands of people who dont have a voice and that he stands for peace.
Second issue

Parkview Senior is a primary school in Johannesburg that consists of learners and staff from many
different cultures, religions and beliefs. Not only do they manage to co-exist in harmony but also
promote peace, love and respect towards all different cultures.
During assemblies every Monday morning different teachers and their home classes are given the
opportunity to do an assembly about their chosen topic. Most of the assemblies include school
values, nature conservation, respecting animals and the environment as well as celebrating
different religious holidays. When a major religious holy day like Ramadan, Eid , Rosh Hashanah,
Yom Kippur, Diwali, Easter and Christmas is about to be celebrated they share a presentation with
the rest of the school. This presentation usually includes a visual PowerPoint presentation with a
background or historical information that is important, speeches which includes the happenings in
the celebration etc. Sometimes the learners even perform dances and skits or play relevant
traditional music. These assemblies have proven to be informative and also give learners/teachers
from every religion the opportunity to share their beliefs and their joy about their celebration with
the rest of the school. It also promotes understanding and acceptance between the learners who
are from different backgrounds.
Not all the visitors to the school seem to share the appreciation of learners/teachers sharing their
religious beliefs with the rest of the school. One visitor sent an e-mail to the principal stating that
the school should not allow learners/teachers to share their religious celebrations with the rest of
school and only have assemblies regarding the upholding of good values. The visitor further stated
that not all learners share the same religion and should not be put into a situation where they must
sit in the hall and are too shy to walk out because they do not want to be exposed to other
religions.
Question 4
First issue
The Gauteng Department of Education applauded Joshua Broomberg and Panyaza Lesufi
(Gauteng Education MEC) went on to say that in South Africa we have freedom of speech and
freedom of rights. He also added that the calls to have the boy removed from his position as
deputy head boy are unconstitutional.
According to the National Policy on Religion and Education schools are not allowed to censor
their learners right to express their views, especially if it promotes basic human rights and the
upliftment of peace. A school may not take away a learners right to freedom of expression and
may not punish a learner for sharing their opinions. Freedom of conscience is an important
value that should be treasured and Joshua Broomberg has the right to follow his own beliefs in
matters of religion and morality. The Constitution ensures every South African citizen their

freedom of religion, opinion and belief and freedom of expression. The actions of Joshua
Broomberg and that of his South African National Debate team is an embodiment of the
principles mentioned previously.
According to the National Policy on Religion and Education religious schools such as King
David may be established as long as they avoid racial discrimination, register with the state and
maintain standards that are not inferior to the standards of comparable Public educational
institutions. Section 57 of the Schools Act provides for schools to have the right to specify
religious ethos and character subject to the agreement with the provincial authorities. However
in maintaining curriculum standards with respect to Religion Education, schools with a
recognised religious character are required to achieve the minimum outcomes for Religious
Education.
An issue like this should be dealt with in a very sensitive manner as it is not only a singular
learner that has to be dealt with. This issue includes an entire community with their opinions as
well as an international crisis with regards to what is happening in Gaza. The school and the
department of Education have the obligation to protect Joshua Broomberg along with the other
members in the debating team. The department of education, the principal and democratic
parties as the ANC did show their support by publishing their stances in the media. Joshua and
his team mates contested ideas rationally as debating is a way of trying to find the best way to
solve complex problems.
Second issue
The principal should send a letter/email to the visitor or make an appointment with the visitor to
discuss the issue at hand. The principal should explain that the school teachers/learner are not
only within their right to include religious assemblies regarding important celebrations but also
keeps to the guidelines of the National Policy on Religion and Education.
The principal may also bring important points regarding the National Policy on Religion and
Education under the visitors attention and thereby informing the person that the school
embraces the values set out in the policy and constitution.
Following are some of the most relevant points within the Religion Education Policy concerning
the situation:

According to the National Policy on Religion and Education, Religion Education is a

curricular programme with clear age appropriate educational aims and objectives for

teaching and learning about religion, religions, and religious diversity in South Africa and
the world.

The teaching of Religion Education must be sensitive to religious interests by ensuring

that individuals and groups are protected from ignorance, stereotypes, caricatures, and
denigration. Professional educators will have to develop programmes in Religion
Education that serve the educational mission of public schools in a democratic South
Africa.

Religion Education is educational and could serve to promote particular interests. Pupils
should be exposed to a variety of religious and secular belief systems, in a well-informed
manner, which gives rise to a genuine respect for the adherents and practices of all of
these, without diminishing in any way the preferred choice of the pupil.

It is important for the principal to inform the visitor that it is the schools duty and responsibility to
include teaching and learning about the religions of the world, especially the religions of South
Africa. The school also places the necessary emphasis on values and moral education which is
also clearly outlined in the policy. The Policy affirms the importance of the study of religion and
religious observances and displays respect towards religious faith.
Also discuss some features of Religion Education such as the following:

Religion Education is education about diversity for a diverse society and schools must
create an overall environment that engenders a sense of acceptance, security and
respect for pupils with differing values, cultural backgrounds and religious traditions.

Religion Education is education not only about valuing traditions but also about the
traditions and histories of values. Religions are an important, although not an exclusive
source of moral values. Religions embody values of justice and mercy, love and care,
commitment, compassion and co-operation.

Conclude by also stating that voluntary religious observances are encouraged and that no learners
are forced to sit through an assembly. Learners know that they are welcome to leave should they
feel uncomfortable. Teachers also work very hard on the assemblies in order to avoid situations
which may contribute to learners feeling excluded or uncomfortable. Teachers are also well
informed and educated in the topic to know that they are not allowed to discriminate against any
other religion. The whole point behind the assemblies is to make them as informative and
interesting as possible. Thereby it is educational and promotes knowledge and respect between
different cultures.