Read: High Court rules that schools can’t promote one religion

Religion in public schools has always been a somewhat contentious subject. Numerous schools across the country had some form of Christianity studies on a Friday, this led to complaints from parents of different faiths.

On Wednesday, the Johannesburg High Court drew a clear line in the sand. The court ruled that schools can not promote one religion.

The case was brought to the court by OGod, a religious organisation that believes there is a religious bias in South African public schools. Trade union Solidarity represented the six schools, they unsurprisingly have a different outlook on the matter.

Solidarity and the schools believe that the constitution allows public schools to identify with one religion and promote it. The High Court goes against that by stating that the adoption of a single religion at schools, would disadvantage pupils.

When OGod brought the matter to the court as well as to Education Minister Angie Motshekga, the group argued that the focus on one religion is not allowed. The Federation of Governing Bodies of South African Schools says that it is permitted in terms of the constitutional, legal framework and existing case law.

Well, at least now the Court has settled the matter. Schools are now not able to deny pupils the opportunity of practising other religions. Instead, parents and the school governing bodies can now determine what religions are taught in schools.

With South Africa being so diverse, true religious freedom is crucial to our kids growing up. While no religion is necessarily being forced on any pupil, it is not right to have certain pupils excluded from a regular school activity and not have an alternative provided to them. Let us know what you think in the Facebook comments.