Outrage as government orders schools to teach only Christianity
Swaziland has instructed that all of its schools to teach only Christianity as it opened for the new academic year on Tuesday under new government.
Swaziland has instructed that all schools teach only Christianity as it opened for the new academic year on Tuesday under new government.
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.
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Last week, the education ministry ordered all head teachers to ensure that the syllabus would not mention any religion other than Christianity, including Islam and Judaism.
Pat Muir, a top education ministry official, said: "Other religions will not be offered at primary and high school level."
He said the policy sought to avoid confusing pupils, adding that at tertiary level they will be able to decide if they want to learn about other religions.
The new Christianity-only syllabus comes after public complaints over Asian and Muslim migration into the country led parliament to set up a commission of enquiry last year.
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This move has been strongly criticized by opponents who say it is fuelling intolerance of Muslims.
A Swazi-born Muslim who works for a mosque near the capital Mbabane, Sahid Matsebula, wondered what plans the government has for children who are not Christians, saying they will be taught one thing at home and taught something else at school.
He added that this policy could worsen religious friction in the country.
However, Church leaders in Swaziland have welcomed this new Christianity-only syllabus.
Stephen Masilela, president of the Swaziland Conference of Churches said: "Christianity is the bedrock religion on which this country was built."
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Religious freedoms are written into the country's 2005 constitution and most combine Christianity with indigenous beliefs.