Religion in South African Education: A Divisive or Unifying Force?

Abstract

Religion not only promotes tolerance among societies with different backgrounds, but also serves to enhance human society. In contrast, however, religion is seen to be the cause of conflict and division around the world. Hence, it is crucial that schools handle the teaching of religion with greater care. This paper aims to share schools’ experiences of religion-in-education policy change in South Africa – whether it unifies or divides them. It concludes that religion in education is neither a divider nor a unifier. Nonetheless, the approach that schools adopt toward the teaching of religion to learners remains a concern.

Keywords:

• policy implementation
• religion-in-education policy
• religion as a divisive force
• religion as a unifying force
• South Africa

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by National Research Foundation, South Africa.

Notes on contributors

Maitumeleng Albertina Nthontho

Maitumeleng A. Nthontho is an Associate Professor and a C2 NRF-rated researcher in the Department of Education Management and Policy Studies, Faculty of Education, University of Pretoria. E-mail: [email protected]