Azra Hoosen | ah@radioislam.co.za
24 July 2024 | 09:00 CAT
3 min read

Durban is at the center of a heated debate as a coalition representing over 20 million members from religious, cultural, educational, spiritual, and traditional groups demands an urgent meeting with Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube. The controversy surrounds the Department of Basic Education’s (DBE) Gender-Responsive Pedagogy for Early Childhood Education Toolkit, accused of promoting transgender ideology to children as young as 0 to 9 years old.

The coalition argues the toolkit undermines parental rights and imposes radical, controversial views on sex and gender, potentially confusing and harming young children.

Michael Swain, Executive Director of Freedom of Religion South Africa (FOR SA), argues that the toolkit is pushing ideological, not educational, content. He points out that it includes asking children for their preferred names and pronouns and telling them that what their parents teach them about gender roles is holding them back in life. “We believe this has no place in the education system, particularly without parents’ consent,” he said.

Despite two previous meetings and strong objections, the DBE is pushing ahead with the nationwide rollout of the toolkit.

In a joint statement, the United Ulama Council of South Africa, the Evangelical Alliance of South Africa, the South African Community of Faith-based Fraternals and Federations, Inkululeko Yesizwe Association, and Freedom of Religion South Africa declared that a major potential source of conflict had developed between them and the DBE.

The coalition calls for an immediate halt and meaningful public consultation, warning that the toolkit could marginalise the beliefs of many parents and children, likening its implementation to state-sanctioned indoctrination. “What they are doing is deeply confusing children, teaching them that there is no such thing as a boy or girl; you can be whoever you want to be, and it’s purely subjective,” added Swain.

The DBE maintains the toolkit is essential for combating gender-based violence and promoting equality, while the coalition demands transparency about the funding and accountability of the DBE’s Social Inclusion and Equity in Education unit, which is spearheading the initiative.

“They claim this teacher training and education of young children is a central component of their strategy to combat gender-based violence and femicide. How on earth is that going to fight GBV if you don’t even know what a woman is? GBV and femicide is primarily against women, which is counterintuitive counterproductive,” said Swain.

Swain highlighted another contentious claim by the DBE, strongly refuted by the coalition, is that parents who teach their children traditional views on sex and gender are somehow encouraging bullying. He argues this is “disingenuous and ridiculous”, emphasising that parents have an inalienable right to impart their beliefs to their children.

The religious and spiritual leaders of the Coalition are united in their stance that no child should face unfair discrimination, violence, bullying, or hatred.

“We need to bring the weight of the majority of people in this country who don’t believe that and would be very unhappy. Most people are ignorant of this, to learn exactly what is being taught to their children,” he said.

Swain highlighted that the coalition is advocating for the establishment of a family values unit within the DBE, reiterating that parents have the inalienable right to educate their children according to their own views and values. “A family values unit would truly represent the diversity of views demanded by the constitution,” he said.

The coalition demands transparency on the identity of the key external partners of the Social Inclusion and Equity in Education unit and its accountability mechanisms.

LISTEN to the full interview with Ml Sulaimaan Ravat and Michael Swain, Executive Director of Freedom of Religion South Africa (FOR SA), here.