The six schools who were involved in the recent court case about religion in schools will not appeal against the court’s decision. The schools had until today (Friday, 04 August 2017) to lodge an appeal.
           
In June this year in the South Gauteng High Court Judge Willem van der Linde has found that religion may be practised at schools but within a specific framework, including the Constitution and the Schools’ Act. At the core of the judgement is the fact that a specific religion may not be promoted at the exclusion of others.
           
“The judgement was in essence in favour of the schools, with only two of the 77 orders against the schools that were eventually issued by the court. The schools consider the judgement as fair and just and would like to adhere to the decision,” says Mr Paul Colditz, CEO of the Federation of Governing Bodies of South African Schools (FEDSAS). The governing bodies of the six schools are FEDSAS members and the organisation supported the schools in the court case.
           
Colditz says only small changes to these governing bodies’ policies, rules and practices are required to adhere to the judgement. FEDSAS has already provided its members with information in order to interpret and implement the court order properly.
           
“The governing bodies of these six schools support positive and constructive South African citizenship, with the Constitution as the most important guideline in executing this. Judge van der Linde mentioned in his judgement that diversity in South Africa should be celebrated, not tolerated. This is an approach that should be followed in all activities of the school community and applies to more than just religion,” says Colditz. This is also FEDSAS’ approach and an approach that FEDSAS is encouraging its members to accept and implement.