RELIGION IN SCHOOLS

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27500, 6 November 1954, Page 2

RELIGION IN SCHOOLS

“SUBJECT ONE FOR LEGISLATION”

MR ALGIE PROPOSES DISCUSSIONS (New Zealand Press Association) DUNEDIN, November 5. Although he now wanted to do more than had been done in the past to inculcate the Christian way of life in New Zealand children, through the school system, the subject was one finally for legislation, but he wM prepared to give a lead, said the Minister of Education (Mr R. M. Algie) in i eply to a question at an election meeting in Dunedin this evening. The subject would have to be investigated without rancour, and he proposed, now that the full education system was running satisfactorily, to investigate the following questions: whether the right instruction was being given; how the special values that went to make up a moral life were to be watched over; and whether anything was being done to inculcate the ways of Christian life. Mr Algie said he thought that the child should be given a knowledge in some way of the Christian way of life. A full Christian education, however, could not be given by State schools. There had been good reason for this barrier when it was enacted.

Private and State Schools Private schools provided religious training, said Mr Algie. They provided for broken families, but some children were sent to private schools for reasons of snobbishness. There was also a group that believed in a boys’ school. There was a good State system of schools, and someone who wanted more should perhaps provide for it. But perhaps State schools could provide good religious training, Mr Algie said. At least there should be a proper fundamental training. Mr Algie said he proposed meeting teachers and school committees to tell them what he had in mind. After a term, he would have given them a lead, and would also have had enough discussion of the subject to get a measure before Parliament. He could not give aid to any private school without legislation, said the Minister. He intended, however, to give a lead on the whole matter. Mr Algie was then asked whether he was personally interested in introducing the English system of aid to schools in New Zealand. He replied that it was possible that part of tne Scottish system was better.