FOR SA keeps religion in public schools

Facts

Contrary to popular belief, religion is indeed allowed in South African public schools! In 2017, the secular atheist group “OGOD” went to court to seek a complete ban on religious observances in all 23,000 South African public schools. They wanted a strict separation of church and state, similar to that in the U.S. FOR SA joined the case as amicus curiae (friend of the court) to prevent public schools from becoming “religion-free” zones, advocating for schools to celebrate, not exclude, the rich faith diversity of South Africa.

The Johannesburg High Court ruled in our favour, affirming that the South African Constitution protects freedom of religious expression in public schools. The court decided that each School Governing Body (SGB) has the authority to create a religious policy that respects and reflects the beliefs of its learners. However, no single religion may dominate or exclude others, and participation in religious activities must always be voluntary.

Without FOR SA’s Involvement

Religious observances could have been banned entirely, eliminating prayers at assemblies, blessings at sports events, and church gatherings in school halls. Hundreds of faith communities would have been left without a place to meet. Instead, this decision means that religion and religious observances are not only allowed—they are welcomed in South Africa’s public schools.