The Education and Children’s Services Bill 2018 is currently being considered by parliament. It proposes that religious activities be offered in SA Public Schools, (delivered by non-teachers) on an OPT-OUT basis.

This opens the door for Religious Instruction by religious volunteers and means that if parents forget to return the consent form, their children may be be included in the lessons against their wishes. Religious Instruction (RI) is instruction in one particular religion, from the perspective of that religion. 

Please sign this petition, that if religious activities (such as RI) are delivered in public schools in SA, it should be  on an OPT-IN basis only.

RI by religious volunteers requires the segregation of children on religious grounds and we believe that ideally RI should be removed from education time altogether in public schools. We believe children should be kept together to learn about all religions from qualified teachers at age appropriate times.

Religious Instruction is not on the curriculum, so shouldn't encroach on students' learning time in public schools.

A summary of our concerns:
·  As RI is not part of the curriculum, there is no oversight by the Department of Education on the content.
·  The main provider of volunteers that present RI in SA Public Schools is very evangelical in nature.
· Young children see religious volunteers as having the same standing as teachers, and often accept as fact what is presented to them.

Informing parents should be on a standardised form which clearly states that RI is delivered by religious volunteers and not qualified teachers and that it is not part of the curriculum.

There are many parents and community members in SA who seek a secular education for their children and align themselves with the principles of FIRIS Fairness In Religion In Schools http://religionsinschool.com   
Please join this community, send a message to politicians and sign the petition!

Thank you!