MORAL EDUCATION

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 March 1922, Page 6

MORAL EDUCATION

IN CANTERBURY SCHOOLS. (Special to tho Star.) CHRISTCHURCH, March 47. Tho question of making provision for moral instruction during school hours was discussed by the Canterbury Education Board to-day. Mr. T. Hughes moved that tho following be substituted for clause 20 in the by-laws of the Education Board of Canterbury : “Except as hereinafter provided, the ordinary hours of instruction in every district or aided school in the Canterbury Education district shall, in tho case of all the standard classes, be five hours each day during five days of each week; but for the preparatory classes need not exceed four hours, and the teaching shall be entirely of a secular character provide! that in schools m ■which the committee may desire to make provision for special instruction to supplement the course of moral instruction, prescribed in clause 48 ot tho regulations for the inspection and examination of schools, the ordinary hours of instruction shall not be less than four and a-half hours each day on five days of each week, during which time the teaching shall be entirely of a. secular character.’’ A letter was read from the chief inspector disapproving of the proposal to reduce the hours to 4g daily. Mr. Hughes said that his motion did not propose to introduce Bible reading or instruction in school hours. In fostering educational aim material advantages tne Board should not allow the national character to

sutler. iur. E. H. Andrews said tho authorities were divided on .tne subject oi tne inclusion oi moral instruction in school hours. He realised tnere was great laxity in the matter of parental control and lbp conduct of tne chiL areii siuiered, -viere BJiie .eauing would not provide moral instruction. There was a niuesepieud demano. t»nit ciiiliiren snould nave, some lorm ot moral instruction and it was for tne Board to discover how that demand could bo met. He did not think anybody would object to a recital oi the Lord’s Brayer, the Ten Commandments, and such - moral lessons as might be included in a special text Air AV. A. Banks said ho admired tht stand the Catholics took in the matter of religious instruction in their schools. The Anglican Church was also developing rapidly a system of church school instruction, that be ing due to the failure of the State system to provide any religious instruction for tho children. At present the youth of New Zealand were growing up with respect for nobody. Even small boys could bo heard talking <> “Bill Massey” and “Dick Seddon. (Laughter). Ho regretted Having to speak in that way of the youth ot New Zealand. nil Air J. Jamieson said that in ai the schools he ha 1 visited the Jen Commandments were posted on wall. Anvtbing in the form of icligion would teach morals, but mora teachin" would not teach religion. Tho -motion was carried by seven votes to five.