CORRESPONDENCE.

Colonist, Volume LVI, Issue 13487, 5 June 1914, Page 7

CORRESPONDENCE.

BIBLE READING IN SOUTH AFRICAN SCHOOLS.

(To the Editor of "The Colonist.")

j Sir, —The following information con- • cerning Bible reading in the public schools in the Union of South Africa is of interest just now:—Transvaal province : Schools open with prayer and Bible reading. Conscience clause for scholars, but not for teachers. Syllabus is built from the London (Kng.) County Council Schools scripture syllabus. Scholars learn the Ten Commandments, etc. Natal province: Bible reading with imsectarian explanation of text; _ all schools opened with prayer. There is a conscience clause. The Education Department supplies syllabus of Scripture reading and urges that the map of Palestine should be used and a few dates learnt. Scholars to read lesson, and learn the Ten Commandments, etc. Orange Free State province: Schools open with prayer and Bible reading. Teachers only to give instruction in Bible history. Conscience clause for children, but not for teachers. Cape of Good Hope province: Every school under the control of the School Board, unless it be a school of a non-Christian designation, shall be opened daily with the Lord's Prayer and with the reading of a portion of the Bible ; but no pupil attending any such school shall he recjutred to be when this is done if the parent or guardian of such a pupil expresses in. writing a wish to.the contrary. The Education Department provides for each standard a list of chapters of the Bible to be read. I am, etc., S. PEARSON. 253. Cuba street, Wellington, J * June 2nd, 1914.