Nthontho, Maitumeleng Albertina2025-01-272024Maitumeleng Albertina Nthontho (2024) Religion in South African Education: A Divisive or Unifying Force?, Religious Education, 119:2, 134-146, DOI: 10.1080/00344087.2023.2289266.0034-4087 (print)1547-3201 (online)10.1080/00344087.2023.2289266http://hdl.handle.net/2263/100321Religion not only promotes tolerance among societies with different backgrounds, but also serves to enhance human society. In contrast, however, religion is seen to be the cause of conflict and division around the world. Hence, it is crucial that schools handle the teaching of religion with greater care. This paper aims to share schools’ experiences of religion-in-education policy change in South Africa – whether it unifies or divides them. It concludes that religion in education is neither a divider nor a unifier. Nonetheless, the approach that schools adopt toward the teaching of religion to learners remains a concern.en© 2023 the Religious education association. This is an electronic version of an article published in Regional Studies, vol. 119, no. 2, pp. 134-146, 2024. doi : 10.1080/00344087.2023.2289266. Regional Studies is available online at : http://www.tandfonline.comloi/urea20.Policy implementationReligion-in-education policyReligion as a divisive forceReligion as a unifying forceSouth AfricaSDG-04: Quality educationSDG-17: Partnerships for the goalsPostprint Article