TEACHING OF ETHICS IN SCHOOLS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 5667, 15 August 1905, Page 2

TEACHING OF ETHICS IN SCHOOLS.

(To tho Editor “N.Z. Times.”) Sir,—The “Executive of the Bible in Schools Referendum League,” in its reply to tho manifesto of the Defence League, says:—“Our opponents do not deal with the chief grounds on which wo urge this reform of our educational system, viz., 'That no education is adequate that does not appeal to the highest side of a child's nature, and that the history of tho (Christian period can not he understood 1 nor our English literature appreciated without a knowledge of the Bible.’ Nor do they really deal with tho fact that our demand that this question shall be settled by a vote of tho people is a i righteous demand,” j May I point out that moral teaching is ' provided for in the new syllabus, and - that it is the aim of every conscientious ' and discerning teacher to “appeal to tho highest side of a child’s nature” by fostering habits of truthfulness and charity ? Ido not know why the “history of the Christian period” need bo studied any earlier in life than that of any other “period”; and I am personally not in favour of history being taught at all in colonial primary schools, except tho history the colony or group of colonies. I quite agree with the ‘'reply” that the literary value of the Bible is incalculable, and I should like to seo Shakespeare and the Bible cultivated in’ the upper classes of primary schools. My plan would be to issue fur the use of standards 5 to 7 inclusive an extra graduated reader, containing passages from both sources, and to have them thoroughly explained in smell a manner as to attract young minds to subsequent acquaintance with the works in their entirety. This ought to suffice; but the Bible-in-schooLi party’s real objective is th<; institution of a system of belief, and that is just what w© do not want foisted upon the rising generation.—l am, etc., HOMME QUI EXT. August 14th.