Protests are growing against the Swaziland
Government’s order that Christianity
is to be the only religion taught in schools.
The decision was imposed by the Swazi Cabinet which is
handpicked by King Mswati III, the autocratic monarch in Swaziland. The move
came into force on 24 January 2017 at the start of the school year after only a
few days’ notice.
The
AFP international news agency reported, ‘Officials
said that old text books were being replaced with new ones that mention only
the Bible, and that schools were required to submit a list of qualified
religious studies teachers ahead of the start of term.’
It added, ‘“Other religions will not be offered at primary and high
school level,” said Pat Muir, a top education ministry official, adding that
the policy sought to avoid confusing pupils.’
Eyewitness
News in South Africa reported, ‘Schools are obliged to submit
their religious studies syllabi at the start of each term to show they contain
no Islamic or Jewish references.’
The move could be against the spirit, if not the
letter, of the Swazi
Constitution. When the 2005 Constitution was being
drafted, it was decided not to insist that Swaziland was a Christian country.
This was to encourage freedom of religion.
According to the CIA
World factbook religion in Swaziland is broken down as
Zionist (a blend of Christianity and indigenous ancestral worship) 40 percent,
Roman Catholic 20 percent, Muslim 10 percent, other (includes Anglican, Bahai,
Methodist, Mormon, Jewish) 30 percent.
Lucky Lukhele, the spokesperson of the Swaziland
Solidarity Network (SSN), an organisation banned in Swaziland because it campaigns
for democracy in the kingdom, said, ‘This pits the authorities on a clash with
the national Constitution adopted in 2005 which guarantees freedom of religion
and declares Swaziland a multi-faith based society, thus barring anyone from
imposing their own religious beliefs on others. The constitution and laws
prohibit religious discrimination and provide for freedom of religion,
including the right to worship and to change religion.’
The African Independent reported
him saying, ‘We will be engaging all the democratic forces in
Swaziland to challenge this unilateral and short-sighted decision by government
whose effect will be to arrest the thought process, flourishing of ideas and
intellectual growth of Swazi children.
‘For a long time the Swazi state has been abusing religion as a tool to
exercise a firm grip on people’s freedoms and their right to demand respect for
their rights. This is unacceptable and we will challenge it in the courts, in
regional bodies, the African Union and even the United Nations. Not only is
this decision unconstitutional, but also it is barbaric and contrary to world
trends and advancement.’
AFP said, ‘The US
State Department's International Religious Freedom Report said some schools
have long sought to prevent Muslim pupils from leaving early for Friday
prayers.
‘It also said some Christian groups “discriminated against non-Christian
religious groups, especially in rural areas where people generally held
negative views on Islam”’
Lawyers for Human Rights spokesperson Sabelo Masuku said although
Swaziland was predominantly Christian, the Government had to consider the Swazi
Constitution which made it clear there was freedom of religious choice.
The Swazi Observer newspaper
reported that Masuku said, ‘what government has done was very risky and some
people might not take kindly to other religions being banned’.
Nkosingiphile Myeni, Communications Officer of The Coordinating Assembly
of Non-Governmental Organisations (CANGO) in Swaziland, a network of NGOs,
ecumenical bodies and other faith-based organisations, said, ‘Firstly,
government must not forget that in 2005, Swaziland entered a new era of
constitutionalism. In Section 23 of the Constitution,
liberties including human rights, freedom of conscience and religion are
entrenched. The inclusion of all other religions must be in line with this
constitutional provision to cater for all sectors of society.’
Myeni said Swaziland had to adhere to international standards such as
the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the African Charter on Human and
People’s Rights. Article 18 of the Universal Declaration stated, ‘Everyone has
the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes
freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in
community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or
belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.’
The Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) criticised the
move saying the Swazi Government had made a decision based on ideology.
SNAT Secretary General Zwelithini Mndzebele in a statement said learning
was about being exposed to diverse experiences that gave the young person the
opportunity to use judgment and apply the learned skills.
Mndzebele said, ‘Learning about other religions helps everyone to better
accommodate and understand others’ aspirations and ways of life. It is one of
the best catalysts for the achievement of world peace.’
School principals said they feared other religions might take the
Government to court over the ban because it might infringe the Swazi
Constitution on freedom of religion.
The Swazi Observer reported,
‘The principals said the schools that would be teaching Christianity only were
government owned and such entities were governed by the constitution.’
The newspaper said. ‘Schools Manager Macanjana Motsa assured the
principals that what was being introduced in the schools had been approved by
government. Motsa said the constitution talked about freedom of religion and this
was practised in churches, which are structures outside the schools.
‘She added that there was nowhere where they banned other religions such
as Islam from being practised in the country. Motsa said the different
religions could be practised outside school boundaries as nothing has changed
on that.
‘She said the syllabus taught in public schools was regulated by
government and she believes they have not strayed from that.’
See also
SCHOOLS
RELIGIOUS TEACHING SHAKE-UP
http://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2017/01/schools-religious-teaching-shake-up.html
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