Zimbabwe's National Schools Pledge sparks outrage among Christians

CB Condez Thursday, May 05, 2016

The Zimbabwe government introduced the new National Schools Pledge on May 3, but the reaction has not been positive. Christians have expressed outrage, but the government defended the pledge.

Students walk to school in Zimbabwe's capital Harare, January 27, 2009. | REUTERS/PHILIMON BULAWAYO

"The wording of the Pledge is actually derived from the preamble [of the Constitution]," said Primary and Secondary Education permanent secretary Dr. Sylvia Utete-Masango, as quoted by The Herald. "This is part and parcel of the new curriculum. We are trying to strengthen the issues to do with our value system, heritage and who we are as a people. The new curriculum is underpinned by a philosophy."

Zimbabwe's new National Schools Pledge goes: "Almighty God, in whose hands our future lies, I salute the national flag. Respecting the brave fathers and mothers who lost lives in the Chimurenga/Umvukela. We are proud inheritors of the richness of our natural resources. We are proud creators and participants in our vibrant traditions and cultures. So I commit to honesty and the dignity of hard work."

Non-government organization Progressive Teachers Union Zimbabwe said in a Facebook post in March that the pledge violates the constitutional rights of the children, apart from violating the teachings and principles of the Bible.

Among other things, the group said that kids are not in the age in which they can make vows and oaths, but that is what the pledge is -- a solemn vow or commitment -- and the government is forcing the kids to make that promise. The group also said that the Bible instructs Christians not to swear, which is what authorities are making the kids do.

Furthermore, the groups explained that the pledge violates the Constitution's Right to Freedom of Conscience. Quoting Chapter 4 Section 60 (2), the group wrote: "No person may be compelled to make an oath that is contrary to their religion or belief or take an oath in a manner that is contrary to their religion or belief."

In late April, the group has announced that they have officially rejected the pledge.

According to The Herald, two litigation cases have been filed by Christians at the High Court against the pledge. The complainants reportedly claim that it promotes ancestral worship and is an offense to their faith, as well as violates both the Bible and the Constitution. Moreoever, the report quoted a critic as saying that "there is an agenda to bring Islam into institutions of learning," and a strategic document is allegedly ready to be implemented.