MORALS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17428, 24 September 1918, Page 6

MORALS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS

BISHOP AVERILLS REFLECTIONS. TEACHERS UP IN ARMS. (Fboji Oor Own Coebespondemtj AUCKLAND, September 23. The startling statements regarding the alleged prevalence of juvenile immorality which were made by Bishop Averill at the annual meeting of St. Mary's Homes (an Anglican maternity institution) last week have evoked a strong protest from the teachers of several local public schools, who say that the bisnop's statements cast an undeserved reflection upon the schools. In his remarks the tishop spoke of the urgent need for enlightenment and training among the young. "It is not only the conditions of home, however, that should be improved," said the bishop, "but that of school life. This is one of the worst sources of immorality at the present time. In my travels in the country I have been made aware of conditions in certain schools that, to proclaim them, the public would absolutely rebel and cry, 'These things must not be.' However, this is • not a matter that our Government cares to interest itself in, although if there were only even a little religious training in schools it would give teachers some ground upon which to appeal to the children under their care." The president of the Auckland Head Masters' .Association (Mr R. C. Harrison), in a statement published to-day says that the association challenges the bishop to prove that immorality lias its sources in public schools. Mr Harrison states, further, that if the bishop knows of these conditions it is his duty to expose them, instead of making vague statements, both the public and the teachers having the right_ to know just what is meant. Mr Harrison declares that the moral tone of the schools is particularly healthy. The advent of school games, he says, has revolutionised the school tone, and children's minds in their spare time are too full of their games to admit of thoughts of sexual matters. With regard to moral teaching, the present-day syllabus . makes . full provision for that. _ The teachers strongly resent the imputations made, and claim that the bishop said either too much or too little. The matter will be discussed at the next meeting of the Head Masters' Association Questioned to-day with regard to tho matter, Bishop Averill said:—"During my 25 years' residence in New Zealand I havo travelled far and wide, and have had many opportunities of considering this question, and many opportunities of knowing cases where schools had become sources of moral danger, and even corruption. It is impossible to quote specific cases, because often information is given privately, and would not bo suitable for publication; but I asserted, and still assert, that if the publio knew as much as I know of what has taken place at certain schools they would say, 'These things must not be.' I referred to certain schools, i.nd not to schools in gene- | ral, and my remarks- were intended to express sympathy with those responsible for | schools, because of some of the material with which in some places they have to deaL If any schoolmaster wishes to know the information on which my remarks were based I shall be only too glad to inform him."