Contemporary Issues In Religion Studies Within School Education

Religion education within the school curriculum has shifted from a central focus within a Christian National Education system in South Africa during the apartheid years to a marginal emphasis within the latest curriculum policy. Located within the context of inclusivity, recognition of diversity and social redress, school education within South Africa has taken on a multi-faith, multi-cultural and multi-racial tenor. This book places this tenor within the complexities of teaching religious education within a diminished focus and within a diverse milieu. Using data from teachers who have been teaching religious education within the old school curriculum, operating now within the reconceptualised curriculum, learners and school leadership, this book presents the challenges teachers face in their teaching practices. One of the greatest challenges in school is inclusion of plurality in religion education for learners who are diverse socially, economically and culturally. This book contributes to our identification and understanding of teaching religion education within a restricted school curriculum and offers some recommendations on how schools could approach religion education.