SCHOOL COMMITTEES

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 143, 18 June 1937, Page 14

SCHOOL COMMITTEES

The School Committees' Federation, it was stated yesterday, is to discuss, at an early date,' tlie question of devotional exercises in schools.

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—ln the last year one has heard much from clergymen of the power for national regeneration through the Churches. It would therefore seem strange that the Churches, which are institutions dedicated to the promulgation of the Word of God to the most vital section of the community—the children—should be more than eager to hand over this all-important function to teachers, of any faith, or no faith, in avowedly secular schools.

For years ministers have had the opportunity of entering the schools under the Nelson system. The use they have made o£ that opportunity reflects little credit on their energy and enthusiasm. The chief defect of their teaching is that very few of them bother to prepare tiieir lessons, and the result is often inattention and restlessness in the classroom. Therefore, unable to cope with the situation, many relinquish the lessons after a short time. The story of lack of preparation, intermittent attendance of the ministers, is one that every teacher knows. Surely a matter of such consequence as the religious instruction of the child is a primary function, not of the teacher, but of the parent and the Church.—l am, etc., A TEACHER.