BIBLE TEACHING IN SCHOOLS

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28099, 15 October 1956, Page 16

BIBLE TEACHING IN SCHOOLS

Voluntary Teachers’ Conference THE REV. J. D. GROCOTT’S ADDRESS “One of our major problems is that the number of teachers must be increased. Some of us are giving religious instruction in more schools than we can adequately handle,” said the Rev. J. D. Grocott, former general secretary of the New Zealand Council for Christian Education, on Saturday. Mr Grocott was speaking at a oneday conference organised by the Canterbury branch of the New Zealand Council for Christian Education, which was held in the St. Andrew’s Church hall.

“Our work is not involved with the conflict between secular and religious education. What we must ask ourselves is whether we are using the Nelson system of instruction properly,” said Mr Grocott. “The Church has a two-fold task. One is evangelism—the winning of persons into the Church—and the other the preservation of cultural and spiritual values. Both are important, but the second one is particularly so. “Some children in schools are unlikely to ever enter the sacramental life of the Church.” he said. “That is why our teaching should stress this preservation of values.

“Although we are all looking forward to the time when all schools will have the same religious syllabus, in the meantime we must abide faithfully to the agreed course of instruction m the individual schools,” said Mr Grocott. “All our work in the class must be taken seriously, and we must strive to fit in with school regulations. Teachers’ Set of Rules

“There is a set of rules which we. as voluntary teachers, should follow if we seek to improve the present position. We must not bring the denominational aspects of religion into our teaching, for we represent the whole Church and no particular branch. Neither should we aim at converting the child.” said Mr Grocott. “This would destroy the whole relationship between the Church and the schools.’’

The schoolroom was definitely not the place for publicity, said Mr Grocott. Religious teachers should never advertise or impress upon the children any particular benefit associated with their own religions. Impartiality was paramount, he said. “Anything not included in the prescribed syllabus should not be touched upon If there happens to be a point of conflict between your views and the schoolteacher’s views, don’t press the matter. The schoolteacher is with the children for a much longer period than you, and his ideas will prevail, not yours,” said Mr Grocott.

During the afternoon session of the conference. Miss R. E. Martin and Mr E. R. Wilson gave talks. A demonstration lesson to Standard II children was given by Sister Shirley Reid.