SPYL backs Namwandi's Bible study rejection

WINDHOEK FAITH SANKWASA

The Swapo Youth League (SPYL) has thrown its weight behind Education Minister Dr David Namwandi's rejection of a call to introduce Bible studies in government schools.
The SPYL's support comes after Namwandi turned down calls to reintroduce religious studies in public schools as a tool to fight moral decay among the youth.
Shortly after independence in 1990, Bible study was removed from the school curriculum.
The Council of Churches in Namibia (CCN) last week said it was perplexed by government's stance on the matter.
The CCN said it wants religious instruction reintroduced in schools because the escalating moral decay is due to young people being exposed to negative immoral decadence and lack of co-operation amongst church, government, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), traditional leaders and community-based organisations (CBOs).
According to the SPYL Secretary for Education, Sports and Culture, Menthel Links, the youth wing supports the introduction of Religious and Moral Education (RME) in the school curriculum, instead of exclusively the Bible.
In a statement issued yesterday, Links said the SPYL's call to introduce RME is in the context of Resolution 7 of the fifth congress of the youth wing.
Links said they are rejecting attempts to have a Christian hegemony dominating in schools at the expense other religions which are protected by the Constitution.
We warn Namibians that championing and safeguarding the Christian hegemony in the form of state policy is dangerous and can lead to sectarian conflicts. It goes without saying that religion is not synonymous to Christianity.
Our call for RME is born from the realisation and admission that the Namibian society has morally degenerated, read the statement.
It said RME highlights aspects such as self-discipline, respect of human dignity, consciousness of evil-doing and understanding the diversity of the society children live in.
It is to educate ... children to understand society and its contemporary dynamics and setup. We are concerned by rigid lobbyists' tendency of turning schools into churches. To these, the minister must unleash a stern warning swiftly and impenitently, the SPYL said.