UMHLANGA COLLEGE : RELIGIOUS POLICY.
Preamble.
Umhlanga College is an independent School with a Christian ethos. The School’s Religious Policy is therefore based on a single faith, namely Christian. The school believes, however, that everyone has the right to freedom of conscience, religion, thought, belief and opinion.
Religious Observances.
Due to its stated Christian ethos, Umhlanga College will conduct and observe, religious activities and practices of a Christian nature only, as the vast majority of the pupils are of the Christian faith. These can include, but are not limited to, practices and observances around Easter, Ascension Day and the Christmas season, in any form as might be deemed suitable for young children. In addition, Bible readings, Christian messages, prayers and choruses, will form the basis of assemblies, meetings and ceremonies, wherever appropriate. It is expected that all children and teachers, irrespective of their personal beliefs, will attend all ceremonies, assemblies and lessons, as provided by the school.
The integrity of other religious groups shall, however, be respected. As it is logistically impossible for the school to cater for the specific requirements demanded by other faiths, suitable alternatives must be provided by the parents, of those pupils affected, as long as these do not impact on the operations of the school.
The school shall, however, recognise the religiously significant days, observed by other faiths and shall attempt to accommodate pupils from these faiths, who may be fasting, feasting or observing some religious practice, by not demanding that the child so affected, takes part in sport, or physical exertion.
The school shall also endeavour to keep its calendar free from trips and excursions during the major religious holidays of other faiths, in recognition of their importance.
Religious Education.
The South African Schools’ Act states that is every child’s right to receive religious education insofar as it is reasonably practicable. The philosophy is that it is important for pupils to be educated and nurtured in religious principles and the value system of their parents, until they are sure of their own faith, before being exposed to other faiths. The reason for this, is that it is confusing for young children to learn about systems that are in conflict with the value system adopted in their homes. As the vast majority of pupils at Umhlanga College are from Christian homes, the Christian value system will be adopted for Religious Education.
This, however, does not exclude the rights of children of other faiths, except that the onus will remain on their parents, to provide suitable alternatives for their children, after school hours.