RELIGION IN SCHOOLS

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 40, 15 August 1930, Page 10

RELIGION IN SCHOOLS

THE NELSON SYSTEM

EXTENSION URGED

The subject of religious iustructiou in State schools is dealt with by the Education Conimittee in the second section of it's report to Parliament. ..

The report states that'from investigations made by tho Committee: it appearedthat at tho present time the facilities offered for religious instruction under tho Nelson system are taken, advantage of in approximately only 10 per cent, of tho schools of the Dominion;-,- Tho,Committee is of opinion. that, provided the: way is opened for ~tlie ;Dqminipn-wide: operation of the system, much greater use could be made of ithe opportunities offered. '■'■"■■ : '■ ■

It was further of opinion that the oxtension of this system would be greatly promoted if teachers who desired to do so were permitted to assist-in connection with it. To this course the Committee can see no objection, provided that such assistance is entirely voluntary, and is given in the teacher's private capacity out of school hours, as the systom provides. On the other hand, the Committee is strongly opposed to anything being permitted that will compel any State teacher to disclose his or her religious convictions or adherence to any particular denomination, or to take part in any religious exercises other than of his or her own free-will. Apart from the" general principle of : th.c mr dividual's right to the privacy of'his religious bfilief, there a-re other considerations which induced the Committee to make this recommendation. Investigations made show that there are iii New Zealand at present 1537 schools at which there is only one teacher, and 551 schools at which there are only two teachers. Approximately more than 75 j por cent, of the Dominion's schools come within one or other of these grades. The teachers in charge are, in general, the junior members of tho teaching service. The Committee feels that in; iuch schools it would be disastrous to the regular work of the school if anything wore done to force these youug teachers into a position in which they were driven to make avowal of their private convictions on religious questions, upon which tho parents, of / the children at: tending the schools in all probability hold strong, and possibly antagonistic, views. The position is somewhat different in the secondary schools, which arc all located in centres of large population and have larger staffs, although even in these thore is always the possibility of considerable. difficulty arising in tho event of: ilia: headmaster of a school finding, himself unable conscientiously to conduct the"'religious: exorcises now customary in these schools.

A similar need exists, it is stated, for the protection of the conscientious scruples of the parents and pupils, and the committee records its conviction I that in any system of religious instruction that may be permitted, adequate safeguards ■will have to :be provided to this end. ■■■; •'•■•>-'■ - The Committee .recommeuds:— That no system'of religious instruction in State schools should- be authorised such as will compulsorily require any State teacher to disclose his or her religious beliefs or his oilier adherence to. any. particular denomination, or to take part in religious exercises other than of his or her own free willjjaut that, on the other hand, the fullest liberty should be given to those teachers who desire of their own accord to assist in the Nelson or any similar system of religious instruction that may be authorised by law.

That the following clause be inserted in the Education Act:—

"Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the principal Act or in any direction given by the Board, if accredited persons approved by the Minister desire to give moral and religious instruction of a voluntary na- . turc in the school buildings, the ordinary opening hour of the school shall be postponed, or the ordinary closing hour in the afternoon shall be advanced, on one day in each week, . as agreed upon, for not more than half-an-hour, in ordor to enable the instruction to be conveniently given: "Provided that no alteration shall bo made in the opening or* closing hours which would reduce the 111111° bcr of hours to be devoted on that day to secular instruction to less than the minimum of four hours fixed by the principal Act."