BusinessDay (South Africa) reports English exam paper offends religious groups:
Religious groups have expressed outrage about this year's Gauteng English Comprehension exam, claiming it had "sexually offensive" content.One can't help but wonder what "relevant and pertinent" subject Prem will come up with for next year.
The question paper consists of newspaper and magazine articles on images of men and their portrayal as sex objects in advertisements and magazine covers.
Pupils were asked to read the text and answer questions such as "why gay men were found to be more vulnerable to body image pressures".
Cyril Harris, chief rabbi of the SA Jewish community, described the examination paper as "bordering on pornographic" and questioned its logic at a time when government was urging moral regeneration.
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The general secretary of the Council of Muslim Theologians, Ebrahim Bham, said the content of the paper "went against the teachings of religion, including those of Islam". Bham said the council was unable to make a formal complaint because of the tight schedule of the Ramadan holy month. The matter would be addressed after Ramadan.
Harris said a meeting was subsequently held with Prem Govender, the department's senior manager for exams and assessment. Harris said Govender explained that the exam intended "to deal with issues relevant and pertinent to the youth of today".
