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The ability of religious private schools to implement their policies might hang in the balance as a case on whether they can require learners and parents to abide by their rules goes to court next week. (Photo by Silas Stein/picture alliance via Getty Images)
FREEDOM OF RELIGION SOUTH AFRICA

Private religious schools’ beliefs in the balance as landmark case goes to court

The outcome might have major ramifications for the autonomy of all private religious schools

  • Eunice Masson
2 min read
The narrative that sex education is dangerous to children is common among United States conservative “pro-family” advocacy groups. (Flickr)
COMPREHENSIVE SEX EDUCATION

America’s right is lobbying against South Africa’s sex education syllabus

Lobby group FOR SA is backed by the US Christian right. Its latest target is South Africa’s increasingly inclusive sex education lesson plans

  • Haley Mcewen
5 min read
The South African Council for Educators (SACE) has admitted that it has “systemic gaps” that can allow teachers found guilty of serious misconduct and subsequently scrapped from its register to still practice their profession. (John McCann/M&G)
CHILD ABUSE

‘Spanking judgement sets a dangerous precedent’

Freedom of Religion SA on Monday said a high court ruling which ordered parents to no longer spank their children would set a dangerous precedent.

  • Amanda Khoza News24
2 min read
Religious groups fight back against a commission that does not hear them, but CRL points to irregularities (Paul Botes/M&G)
COMMISSION FOR THE PROMOTION AND

Government and religion at odds

Commercialisation of religion, and the abuse of people’s belief systems at the core of the impasse

  • Carl Collison
7 min read
Street hawkers sell their wares to passing pedestrians on a road near the headquarters of the South African Reserve Bank in Pretoria.
FREEDOM OF RELIGION SOUTH AFRICA

NGO seeks order declaring adherence to one religion at schools as unconstitutional

OGOD has been battling with the schools since 2014 when its founder tried to interdict the schools from advertising themselves as Christian.

  • Prega Govender
5 min read