EDT303Q-02- 556604 Page 1 of 8 C. Thompson - 56068484
EDT303Q
ASSIGNMENT 02
Unique Number:
556604
Due Date: 2015/03/27
First semester: 26 Mar 2015
Christopher
Thompson
Student Number:
56068484
Table of contents
Page Title
1 Cover Page
2-4 Essay 01 – Principal’s response
4 References – Essay 1
5-7 Essay 02 – Comparison between Hinduism and Christianity
8 References – Essay 2
, EDT303Q-02- 556604 Page 2 of 8 C. Thompson - 56068484
1) Essay – Principal’s Response
In an attempt to defend the efforts of a school committed to teaching religious education in a
fair and balanced manner, such as the one presented in this challenging case study, the
principal should openly address all the learners of the school with great confidence. This
potentially destructive situation, short fused with intertwined differences and long standing
disputes, has presented to the principal, an opportunity to develop and expand not only the
schools proclamations about religious education, but also the edicts of the country’s leaders.
By stating the directives of South Africa’s Policy on Religion and Education, approved on the
4th August 2003, the principal and the school community will be able to continue serving the
nation and assisting the county’s struggle towards reformation. In addition to this policy of
2003, the South African Schools Act 94 of 1996 will further reaffirm the schools efforts to
educate learners about different cultures and religious beliefs. The South African Constitution,
founded on the social and personal development of every single South African citizen, will
also assist the principal in this matter of clarification to those learners who felt the speaker’s
comments insulting and invasive to their particular religious perspectives.
With a history of violence and segregation, cultural and religious differences have been the
fuel for division and unrest among the nation for many years. It is for this reason that the three
aforementioned documents have been carefully constructed, with the will to bring unity and
reformation to South Africa’s present-day situation. The government recognizes not only the
tremendous need for this to take place, but also the way in which these changes can be
implemented and achieved through the educational system.
Through a variety of creative and effective methods, Learners are taught specific knowledge,
skills and values, protecting other citizens against religious intimidation and discrimination.
What the learners heard in the address of the guest speaker was information shared with the
learners to achieve greater understanding of the Christian faith and belief. It would be against
the law, or contradictory to the policies and constitution to restrict the religious freedom of this
religious group, Christianity. The principal is obliged by Article 66 of the policy on religion and
education to develop greater appreciation of the spiritual values of all citizens.
Continuing with this policy, articles 19, 23, 25 and 26 are all applicable and should be made
known to all learners, whether they felt offended by the address of the Christian speaker or
not. They encapsulate the need for learners achieve religious literacy, learn about the rich
and diverse South African religious heritage, to grow spiritually, both in terms of their own
beliefs and ethics and in terms of their treatment and understanding of others and to deal
effectively with cultural difference and diversity within South Africa. Before moving onto the
South African constitution, the principal should bring to the learner’s attention that through the
Life Orientation and Religion Studies Curricula, a better understanding of the four points
mentioned above would be attained gradually, as stated in article 21.
The Education policy in South Africa is based on the values and principles of the 1996
Constitution, protecting the lives, freedom of religion, belief and opinion, freedom of
expression (excluding hate speech against others) and children’s rights of all learners,
irrespective of their culture, religion and language. These points should be delivered by the
principal to the disputing learners with confidence, further establishing the schools purpose
and intentions for inviting the guest speaker.
Several other points can be drawn upon from the South African Constitution of 1996,
especially those stated in the Bill of Rights: democracy, social justice and equity, freedom of
personal belief, expression non-racism and non-Sexism, human dignity (Ubuntu), an open
EDT303Q
ASSIGNMENT 02
Unique Number:
556604
Due Date: 2015/03/27
First semester: 26 Mar 2015
Christopher
Thompson
Student Number:
56068484
Table of contents
Page Title
1 Cover Page
2-4 Essay 01 – Principal’s response
4 References – Essay 1
5-7 Essay 02 – Comparison between Hinduism and Christianity
8 References – Essay 2
, EDT303Q-02- 556604 Page 2 of 8 C. Thompson - 56068484
1) Essay – Principal’s Response
In an attempt to defend the efforts of a school committed to teaching religious education in a
fair and balanced manner, such as the one presented in this challenging case study, the
principal should openly address all the learners of the school with great confidence. This
potentially destructive situation, short fused with intertwined differences and long standing
disputes, has presented to the principal, an opportunity to develop and expand not only the
schools proclamations about religious education, but also the edicts of the country’s leaders.
By stating the directives of South Africa’s Policy on Religion and Education, approved on the
4th August 2003, the principal and the school community will be able to continue serving the
nation and assisting the county’s struggle towards reformation. In addition to this policy of
2003, the South African Schools Act 94 of 1996 will further reaffirm the schools efforts to
educate learners about different cultures and religious beliefs. The South African Constitution,
founded on the social and personal development of every single South African citizen, will
also assist the principal in this matter of clarification to those learners who felt the speaker’s
comments insulting and invasive to their particular religious perspectives.
With a history of violence and segregation, cultural and religious differences have been the
fuel for division and unrest among the nation for many years. It is for this reason that the three
aforementioned documents have been carefully constructed, with the will to bring unity and
reformation to South Africa’s present-day situation. The government recognizes not only the
tremendous need for this to take place, but also the way in which these changes can be
implemented and achieved through the educational system.
Through a variety of creative and effective methods, Learners are taught specific knowledge,
skills and values, protecting other citizens against religious intimidation and discrimination.
What the learners heard in the address of the guest speaker was information shared with the
learners to achieve greater understanding of the Christian faith and belief. It would be against
the law, or contradictory to the policies and constitution to restrict the religious freedom of this
religious group, Christianity. The principal is obliged by Article 66 of the policy on religion and
education to develop greater appreciation of the spiritual values of all citizens.
Continuing with this policy, articles 19, 23, 25 and 26 are all applicable and should be made
known to all learners, whether they felt offended by the address of the Christian speaker or
not. They encapsulate the need for learners achieve religious literacy, learn about the rich
and diverse South African religious heritage, to grow spiritually, both in terms of their own
beliefs and ethics and in terms of their treatment and understanding of others and to deal
effectively with cultural difference and diversity within South Africa. Before moving onto the
South African constitution, the principal should bring to the learner’s attention that through the
Life Orientation and Religion Studies Curricula, a better understanding of the four points
mentioned above would be attained gradually, as stated in article 21.
The Education policy in South Africa is based on the values and principles of the 1996
Constitution, protecting the lives, freedom of religion, belief and opinion, freedom of
expression (excluding hate speech against others) and children’s rights of all learners,
irrespective of their culture, religion and language. These points should be delivered by the
principal to the disputing learners with confidence, further establishing the schools purpose
and intentions for inviting the guest speaker.
Several other points can be drawn upon from the South African Constitution of 1996,
especially those stated in the Bill of Rights: democracy, social justice and equity, freedom of
personal belief, expression non-racism and non-Sexism, human dignity (Ubuntu), an open
