031 564 6412 | 031 564 6423 | ehps@telkomsa.net
031 564 6412 | 031 564 6423 | ehps@telkomsa.net
Religion and Culture
Accommodation of Religious or Cultural Rights Religious practices, conduct or obligations that relate to the core values and beliefs of a recognised religion and that are in conflict with any rule contained in this Code of Conduct will be accommodated by a deviation from this Code of Conduct by the Governing Body under the following conditions:
- The learner, assisted by the parent, must apply for deviation from the standard School rules if such rules are in conflict with or infringe on any religious right of the learner.
- This application must be in writing and must identify the specific rule/s that is/are offensive to the learner’s religious rights/s as contained in the constitution of South Africa.
- The application must include a reasonable interpretation of the religious rights that the learner feels are offensive and a suggestion on how the rules may be supplemented by the Governing Body to accommodate such religious rights.
- The religious conduct or practice must be lawful.
- The Governing Body must consider the application and , if it is satisfied that the application is justified in terms of constitutional principles, the reply will be in writing.
- When the Governing Body allows for deviation from the standard rules, such deviations must be based on core religious beliefs inherent to the religion, and it must be compulsory for the learner to comply with such beliefs.
- The deviation must specify the extent of the exemption from the normal rules and must clearly identify the conduct that will be allowed.
- Cultural rights will be considered in the event that they do not relate to religion if such cultural rights manifest in conduct of a permanent nature that is compulsory for the cultural group.
- Any request for a deviation from the Code of Conduct based on cultural rights must be in writing and must be based on a process similar to that contained in subparagraphs 1 to 8 above.
The learner must provide proof of belonging to that specific religion and that the religious practices, rules and obligations that are in conflict with the School’s Code of Conduct are the learner’s true beliefs and commitments.