BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20537, 11 April 1930, Page 13

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

CONTROVERSY DEVELOPS.

QUESTION OF LEGALITY

INTERPRETATION OF THE ACT

VIEWS OF OPPOSING PARTIES

The controversy which has arisen regarding (be legality of the religious instruction, under tho Nelson system, given in some city schools, turns upon tho interpretation of section 56, sub-section 4, of the Education Act, 1914. Tho section reads: " The school shall be kept open five days in each week for at least four hours each day. two of which in tho forenoon and two in tho afternoon shall he consecutive, and the teaching shall bo entirely of a secular character." The objection raised by tho New Zealand Association for the Advancement of Rationalism was in regard to an arrangement which provided that children whose parents did not wish them to attend Bible reading classes should secure exemption by the parents writing to tho teachers, and the formation of special classes to provide thoso exempted with work. In the opinion of the association, instruction under such conditions was within school hours arid was thus contrary to the provision that " all teaching shall bo entirely of a secular character." Doubt regarding this interpretation is expressed by ministers who cany out instruction. It is stated that their claim that tlie

instruction is not contrary to tho Act is based on an interpretation of the section that the teaching shall be secular onlv in respect of tho fours hours daily. It is contended that, as tho practice is for schools to bo open for fivo hours daily, half an hour's instruction outside the "four hours does not come within tho meaning of the section. • Education Board Circular.

When tho Rationalist Association brought (lie matter under the notice of the Auckland Education Board recently an opinion was obtained by the board from its solicitor. As a result of Una opinion, tho board issued the following circular to head-teachers:—

" The board granted the request of the school committee for permission to introduce tho Nelson system of Bible reading at the school on the distinct understanding that the attendance of pupils and teachers is entirely voluntary. In order to comply with the Education Act- it will be necessary for the, Biblo rending to be. given outside school hours, at times other than those fixed for the purposes of primary instruction. " On the day when Bible reading 15 given at the school it will be necessary for the time for opening school to be postponed by ono half-hour and the school should not be assembled and the roll should not be called until after the close of the Bible reading class. In other cases, where tho Bible reading is given at the close of the morning session of the school, the school must be dismissed half an hour earlier than the regular time, and before the commencement of the Bible reading. " It must be indicated to the school children quite clearly that attendance, at the Bible reading is entirely In order to obviate any grounds for objections, children who desire to attend the Bible reading class should obtain a. written intimation from their parents."

Latter from Education Minister. The so-called new conditions of the hoard have drawn strong criticism from ministers and it lias Keen stated that the training might as well be abandoned as carried out undei the conditions. A "meeting of various denominations concerned in (he Bible lessons was held yesterday and a recommendation made by this meeting was considered at a meeting of the executive committee of the Council of Christian Congregations last evening. It is not considered that any action will be taken until the next, meeting of the council.

The matter was also considered at a meeting of the Rationalist Association last evening, when a letter in reply to the association's complaint was received from the Minister of Education. The Minister stated: "The Auckland Education Board, in exercise of its statutory powers, may resolve that on one or more days in the week a school shall open later than on the other days. If religions instruction is given previous to the time at which school opens it, is, of course, not given within school hours, and does not violate section 56 of the Act." Referring to a report that "a half-hour lesson a week within school hours" would be devoted to religious instruction in four city schools the Minister said the board could not permit such a course, as it knew the legal position too well to think of doing so. It was decided to reply to the Minister staling that irregularities actually did occur arid suggesting that it was his duty to take steps to see that similar breaches of the law did not occur in other education board districts. Letters are also to be sent to the Auckland branch of the New Zealand Educational Institute and the Auckland Headmasters' Association requesting their support in the action taken by the association.

Education Board View. A reply to criticism regarding the altitude adopted by the Education Board in its circular to teachers was inndo by the chairman, Sir. A. Burns, yesterday. He said the board took purely precautionary measures to place the teacher* and the school committees "on side" in the matter. The conditions were not new, but were, merely a restatement in detail of insttuctioris given to a school committee when a referendum of parents favoured the introduction of the. Nelson system. Until it was approached by the .Rationalist Association the board believed that, instruction was given iri accordance with the provisions of the Act and that there was no compulsion. "Ihe board feels (hat it has already made a concession to the ministers in curtailing the school hours on one day a week in order to meet, their wishes." said Mr. Burns. "If this does not meet with tlnir approval they may endeavour to have the law amended."

Inquiries showed thai several schools carried out the instruction in accordance with the hoard's instructions. 'I lie arrangement at one school was that, children taking Bible-reading should assemble at niiip o'clock on one morning, when the actual opening of the school was postponed until 9.30. At 9.25 they wero dismissed and mingled with the other children on the playground. The whole school was assembled at. 9.30 and the roll was called. It was stated this method was woi king sit isfaetnrilv.