Book on moral education

Press, 2 December 1978, Page 9

Book on moral education

New approaches to the much-debated question of moral education are disr cussed in “More Than talk,” a book released by the Education Department. It is one of a series on “Current issues in education." The 66-page book, which is available, from Government bookshops, has been written by Ivan Snook, a reader in education, and Colin McGeorge, a lecturer In education, both of the University of Canterbury. ejAmong the questions diseased are: What morality is, the main aim of moral egtication. whv there is specWJ concern about moral e*d ucat i o n today, the difference between moral and religious education, changes needed in the organisation and administration of eeuools. and how an over-all curriculum for moraf education can be devised.

“We are not trying to' ; ■‘sell’’ programmes' of moral education,” say the authors. “Bui if programmes are introduced, we want to be sure that they are well I thought out. “An educationally-defen-1 sible programme must be I based on a reasoned under-' standing of morality, and on! knowledge of how children! develop a moral code. This! book is intended as a basis! for discussion by teachers,! parents, and possibly senior' pupils.” The Director-General of ' Education (Mr W L. Renwick) says in a foreword that the issues debated in, "More Than talk:' are not! departmental policy. “It is' not a blueprint for changes | contemplated, it is not even kite-flying: it is a contribution to discussion of how , education may be able to help.”