Teachers' understanding and managing of religious and cultural diversity in an independent Islamic school

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to explore teachers‟ understanding of inclusive education within an independent Islamic school. The research was designed to explore the way the values and principles of tolerance and respect for religious and cultural diversity might be accommodated or promoted within an independent Islamic school in South Africa. Such schools are guided by the aims and objectives of Islamic education, as defined at the First World Conference on Muslim Education held in Makkah, Saudi Arabia in 1977. However, such schools are also bound by the aims and objectives of inclusive education, as propagated by the Department of Education, which strives to promote religious and cultural diversity within a democratic society. In this study the views and experiences of nine teachers with regard to inclusivity, cultural and religious tolerance and democratic citizenship were researched. It was argued that teachers and schools represent the earliest opportunity for learners to develop meaningful relationships with and positive attitudes towards others; this enables learners to feel valued and included as citizens within a democratic and diverse society.This qualitative study was limited to one independent Islamic school in the Western Cape. The data was collected through semi-structured personal and focus group interviews and was analysed within an interpretive paradigm.The findings were that whilst the participants agreed that access to the school should be open to all learners irrespective of religion, most felt that non-Muslim learners should be taught separately. Though a school environment should promote tolerance and respectful attitudes towards learners from different cultures and backgrounds, the participants supported a school ethos that was founded on Islamic principles. The main recommendation of this study is that the independent Islamic schools should give careful consideration to their role within society if they wish to create a democratic citizenry and promote religious and cultural diversity.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University