RELIGION IN SCHOOLS

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29974, 8 November 1962, Page 6

RELIGION IN SCHOOLS

Criticism Of Report Deep disappointment at the Commission on Education’s recommendation on religious instruction in schools was expressed at the annual conference of the New Zealand Methodist Church.

A report by the Methodist Council for Christian Education, presented by the director for Christian education, toe Rev. W. F. Ford, said the commission’s report failed to recognise toe extent of toe agreement between the churches, as witnessed by the existence of an agreed syllabus and the attempt to safeguard standards by the system of accrediting voluntary inetroctors. The commteaion recommended that the only section of the community which should be automatically disqualified from giving voluntary religious Instruction was the section most able to do tt, namely trained teachers. The recommendations would make it impossible for primary schools to have both religious instruction and religious observances, such as worship at school assemblies, said Mr Ford.

The emphasis of toe council on teen-age programmes was continuing. There bad been a notable stirring amongst toe young people In toe field of evangelism. Two districts bad experimented In the field of direct evangelim while many local churches were seeking to befriend tod win outside youto through coffee clubs and fellowship groups. Mr Ford added that there was a pressing need for local churches to set aside a auitabte room as a dub room for teen-agers, where they would be able to meet each other and their tenders in an informal setting.