LUTHERAN SCHOOL AT RONGOTEA.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 2743, 8 September 1923, Page 5

LUTHERAN SCHOOL AT RONGOTEA.

NOT A “GERMAN SCHOOL.'' At last night’s meeting of the Palmerston North R.S.A., a letter was received from the Education Department in regard to the Lutheran . School at Rongotea. On June 11, the R.S.A. sent a letter to the Department emphatically protesting against the principle of allowing private German schools to ha opened, on the ground that such schools would tend to foster separation from British loyality in small communities whose inhabitants are of alien and particularly, of alien enemy origin. The reply from the Education Department last evening stated that the delay, in answering was duo to its being necessary to institute very careful inquiries regarding the character of the Lutheran School at Rongotea, An inspector was sent to visit the school, and it had been found that as only four pupils were in attendance, the school could not be registered under the Education Act. The proposed curriculum indicated that the scho&l was to bo conducted on the same lines aa the Lutheran School at Marton. Religious instruction, in conformity with the beliefs of the » Luthffran Church, was to be given, but the German language was not to be used. I( was quite clear that'the school could not be a "German school” but only a school that waa to be attended by the children of adherents to the Lutheran Church. The teacher had taken the oath of allegiance and a guarantee had been given in the following terms: "Loya.l British sentiments and patriotism will be taught as a matter of religion and conscience.”—The letter was received.