POLITICS IN SCHOOLS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 276, 20 October 1938, Page 13

POLITICS IN SCHOOLS.

COMPLAINT TO BOARD. It was stated, at yesterday’s meeting of the Wanganui Education Board, by Mr P. Munro that several complaints had been received from parents tlu’oughout the district because of political opinions being expressed in schools. The board took a serious view and decided to circularise headmasters on the matter, » Mr Munro said he had received several complaints from parents. He did not mind teachers holding their own opinions on politick! matters as long as they did not express them to children or allow any expression of political leanings in school hours. “Children are coming to parents and asking what are we, Labour or National,” he said. There was apparently considerable feeling being expressed among school children. He, did not think it was at all desirable and moved that a circular letter addressed to head teachers bo distributed stating that tho hoard did not approve of the introduction of party politics in the schools.

Tho clmii-man (Mr E. F. Hemingway) : We do not allow these matters to interfere at tho board’s table. Certainly we do not want it in the schools. Tho motion, which was carried, was seconded by Mr J. W. Batcholar, who said he had also heard many complaints from parents on the same ground.

In connection with the above it was learned that tho board does not restrict teachers from teaching politics as part of civics, hut the introduction of party was not permitted.