DEVOTIONAL EXERCISES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23219, 17 June 1937, Page 7

DEVOTIONAL EXERCISES

ADOPTION IN SCHOOLS SYSTEM ENTIRELY VOLUNTARY The annual report of the Otago Education Board states that the board had given school committees permission to open school five minutes later than the usual opening hour for the purpose of allowing time for devotional exercises in all cases where teachers voluntarily offered to conduct- such services. “The opening exercises are not intended in any way to displace the Nelson system of Bible teaching, but rather to supplement it,” the report continues, “not only in those schools where it is in operation, but more particularly in those country schools where, through their isolation, the Nelson system is possible only occasionally or not at all.” Seventy-three schools had adopted the exercises, in most instances throughout the school, but in some cases only partially, those taking part totalling 6979 pupils and 197 teachers. The Nelson system of Bible teaching was in operation in 87 schools, the total number of children participating being 9280. This was an increase of 19 schools and 1188 children over the figures for 1935 Forty-two of those schools had devotional exercises as well. The number of separate schools which had adopted one method or boil) were therefore 118. OPPONENTS’ MISTAKE

That the devotional exercises were entirely voluntary was emphasised by Mr D. C. Cameron when the board was considering the report at its monthly meeting yesterday. “ The mistake that most of the opponents of this system make is to call it Bible instruction.” he said. “There is no comment of any sort. They are purely devotional exercises. It has been stressed that teachers can be compelled to conduct them, but there is no compulsion about it whatever. The whole system is essentially voluntary.”

Mr Cameron said that the number of schools which had adopted the exercises was now 81, those taking

part in Otago totalling 7305 pupils and 199 teachers. The system was working admirably in city and country schools. OTAGO’S LEAD

A paragraph from th§ report stating that 10,000 Otago pupils were now seated at tables and chairs was quoted by Mr Cameron. “It is pleasing to notice that Otago is leading the way in this direction,” he said. “ The department has recognised tables and chairs as standard furniture, which is definitely a feather in this board’s cap.” Mr Cameron and other members congratulated the chairman (Mr James Wallace) and the board’s secretary (Mr G. W. Carrington) on the report. It was exceedingly interesting and comprehensive. PERMISSION GIVEN COMMITTEES WELLINGTON MASTERS’ OBJECTION (Per United Press Association) WELLINGTON, June 16. A deputation from the New Zealand Bible-in-Schools League this morning asked the Wellington Education Board to sanction the holding of five minutes’ devotional exercises in school time, with prayer, a hymn, and Scripture reading. A subsequent deputation from the Wellington Headmasters’ Association and representatives of the Wellington district branches of the New Zealand Educational Institute raised strenuous objection to the proposal. The main point of the objection was that unless there was a State church in New Zealand and a State religion teachers should not be placed in the position of having to act as reh'gious teachers, which was a duty being shirked by parents and those responsible for religious teaching—i.e., the churches. It was pointed out that recently a conference of primary school teachers opposed such an innovation by a large majority. By nine votes to five the board decided to alter its by-laws to permit school committees to allow five minutes’ devotional exercises each morning.