Draft Document on Religious Tolerance in Mission Schools Being Developed

It is an urgent call to action, a plea for tolerance in our schools. The National Peace Council and all relevant stakeholders in education are leading the drive to nurture young minds with respect and not division.

With this in mind, a session on developing an agreement to guide religious tolerance in mission schools is underway in Accra. The document will bind all private and government assisted mission schools when complete.

It is common knowledge that there has existed a complementary developmental relationship between the state and religious organizations in the provision of education, health care facilities and social services. Traditionalists, Muslims, and Christians have all benefited from one another’s presence and essence.

Mission educational institutions and other bodies have increasingly been sensitive in creating a genuine, cordial, inclusive and a culture of tolerance in diversity in running the schools, without compromising the missions and visions of the parent religious body.

Schools and colleges are established with clear visions and school core values and mottos to guide and shape learners. Additionally, each school is shaped by its identity through its culture and ethos, which are developed over the period.

Recently however, the tranquility enjoyed by these bodies has been threatened some religious intolerance in some schools. The document will therefore guide and bind all Private and Government assisted Mission Schools.

The GES, TVET, CHRAJ, managers of education units, and all relevant stakeholders will draft and agree to the document before it is accepted.