Religion and Education Policy

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary goal of Religion Education in South Africa?

To teach moral values only

To convert students to a particular religion

To teach about religions and religious diversity (correct)

To promote a single religion

Who is responsible for teaching Religion Education?

An appropriately trained professional educator (correct)

Representatives of religious organisations

School administrators

Guest facilitators from various religions

What is the role of religious organisations in Religion Education?

To provide guest facilitators on an equitable basis (correct)

To monitor student assessment

To promote their own religion

To provide financial support to schools

What is the main difference between Religion Education and Religious Instruction?

Religion Education is about religious diversity, while Religious Instruction is about a particular faith Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of Religious Observance?

To practice a particular religion Signup and view all the answers

Who is responsible for ensuring that schools have access to guest facilitators from various religions?

Religious organisations Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the home, family, and religious community in Religious Instruction?

To deepen an understanding and adherence to a particular faith or belief Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of the policy in a multi-religious country?

To support unity without uniformity and diversity without divisiveness Signup and view all the answers

How should a school accommodate pupils who do not wish to participate in a religious observance?

By providing equitable arrangements, such as excusing them from attending Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of accommodating different religions in a school assembly?

Reading from various religious texts Signup and view all the answers

Why should schools consider the impact of segregation on pupils?

Because it can lead to negative peer pressure on children Signup and view all the answers

What is NOT a goal of the policy in public schools?

To establish uniformity of religious education in a single faith Signup and view all the answers

What should a school consider when organizing a religious observance?

The multi-religious nature of the country Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of rotating opportunities for observance in a school?

To reflect the representation of different religions in the school Signup and view all the answers

What is the main goal of the National Policy on Religion and Education?

To ensure unity of purpose and spirit among diverse students Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following models of structuring the relationship between religion and the State is based on the premise that the state should act to suppress religion?

Repressionist Model Signup and view all the answers

According to the Minister's foreword, what is the importance of public schools in a democratic society?

To ensure the equal rights of all students to be at school Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of the National Policy on an Equitable Provision of an Enabling School Physical Teaching and Learning Environment?

Equitable provision of an enabling school environment Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a feature of the National Policy on Religion and Education?

Discrimination against certain religions Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between the theocratic model and the cooperative model of structuring the relationship between religion and the State?

One identifies the state with one particular religion, while the other separates religion from the state Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the National Policy on the Organisation, Roles and Responsibilities of Education Districts?

To define the organisation and roles of education districts Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of a separationist model?

To completely divorce the religious and secular spheres of a society Signup and view all the answers

What is the core principle of the cooperative model?

Establishing separate spheres for religion and state with scope for interaction Signup and view all the answers

What is the basis of the policy for the role of religion in education?

The Constitutional values of equality and non-discrimination Signup and view all the answers

What is the outcome of the Constitutional guarantee of freedom of religion?

Citizens are free to exercise their basic right to religious conviction, expression, and association Signup and view all the answers

What is the DBE's approach to the relationship between religion and public education?

A cooperative model Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of ensuring equality in the enjoyment of all rights and benefits of citizenship?

To explicitly prohibit unfair discrimination on grounds that include religion Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between the Constitutional values and the policy for the role of religion in education?

The policy flows directly from the Constitutional values Signup and view all the answers

What is the outcome of the Constitutional prohibition of unfair discrimination?

Ensuring equality in the enjoyment of all rights and benefits of citizenship Signup and view all the answers

What is the core principle of the Constitution regarding religion in public education?

Guaranteeing freedom of and for religion Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

National Policy on Religion and Education

The policy aims to support unity without uniformity and diversity without divisiveness in public schools.

Religion Education

A curricular programme with clear and age-appropriate educational aims and objectives, focusing on teaching and learning about religion, religions, and religious diversity.
The study of religion must serve recognizable educational goals, consistent with the aims and outcomes of other learning areas.
Schools are responsible for Religion Education, promoting a balanced approach to learning about religion, without promoting one single religion.

Who Should Teach Religion Education?

An appropriately trained professional educator registered with the South African Council of Educators (SACE).
Representatives of religious organisations registered with SACE.
Occasional guest facilitators from various religions, used on an equitable basis, under the authority of the teacher.

Religious Instruction

Information on a particular faith or belief, aiming to deepen understanding and adherence to that faith or belief.
The responsibility of the home, family, and the religious community.

Religious Observance

An event held at a time determined by the school, accommodating and reflecting the multi-religious nature of the country.
Examples of equitable arrangements include:
- Separation of learners according to religion, with equitably supported opportunities for observance by all faiths.
- Rotation of opportunities for observance, proportionate to the representation of different religions in the school.
- Selected readings from various religious texts.
- A universal prayer or period of silence.

Policy Approach

The policy is designed to promote unity, diversity, and respect for all religions, without establishing the uniformity of religious education in a single faith.
The policy does not discriminate against anyone, respecting the importance of the study of religion and religious observances.

Models of Structuring the Relationship between Religion and the State

Theocratic model: the state identifies with one particular religion or religious grouping.
Repressionist model: the state acts to suppress religion.
Separationist model: the secular state attempts to completely divorce the religious and secular spheres.
Cooperative model: combines constitutional separation and mutual recognition, establishing separate spheres for religion and the state, with scope for interaction.

DBE's Approach

The cooperative model provides a framework that is best for religion and best for education in a democratic South Africa.

Values Underpinning the Policy

Constitutional values of citizenship, human rights, equality, freedom from discrimination, and freedom for conscience, religion, thought, belief, and opinion.

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Description

A policy aimed at promoting unity and diversity in public schools through a religion education programme, focusing on teaching and learning about religion and religious diversity.