The Timaru Herald FRIDAY, JUNE 30, 1911. TEACHERS AND BIBLE LESSONS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCIV, Issue 14481, 30 June 1911, Page 4

The Timaru Herald FRIDAY, JUNE 30, 1911. TEACHERS AND BIBLE LESSONS.

As the complaints made by the Secular Education Defence League against tlic system of Bible classes as conducted at the Main School were addressed in the first instance to the Education Board, and have still to be considered by that body, we refrain from making any detailed comments on the cliarcfps at this stage. The complaints were considered last evening b\ (hp Main. School Commit

tee, wliich decided that on the mornings when . religious instruc•tion is- given the school is not assembled till 9.30, that the classes have been held without any infringement of the law or of the Education Board's resolution) and that there is nothing to prevent teachers from assembling those children who. wish; to attend the classes, or otherwise assisting ministers, on the understanding that such assistance is purely voliintary and is given outside the regular school hours. In the special case of a child who had been strapped by a teacher for non-attendance at the classes, the. Committee _v6ry properly decided to express. its deep regret to the child's father, and to inform him that such punishment was not authorised, and was utterly opposed _ to the wishes of the Committee and the head, master. We shall discuss the Committee's general findings later, when they have been revieVed by the Education Board, but there is just one point to which _ we feel bound to draw attention at the present time. It may be a very sound doctrine that _ the teachers have a perfect right to take part in the lessons, which are held outside the usual school hours, but there is another question to consider.' Is it desirable that they should be allowed to take any part whatever in the conduct of these lessons? Their attendance or, assistance must be purely voluntary; that rule has been i laid down, but is there not a | serious danger that teachers may be induced to give their assistance to the lessons by the desire of pleasing a committee which is known to be in favour of this instruction, or, on the other hand, that a teacher might find himself at a disadvantage in his profession through unwillingness, or a ''conscientious inability, to lend his support or , presence to the classes. A few months ' ago we had the case of a South Canterbury head master who apj plied for a position further north, and, after forwarding a state- ■ ' niont of liis teaching experience ; and testimonials, was asked what Iris opinions were on the question of Bible reading in schools. It would be unjust and improper in the highest degree if a teacher's prospects in his profession could be affected, either favourably or detrimentally, by his attitude towards this question, but we see how much importance a committee is liable to attach to his attitude upon it, first from the example we have instanced, and secondly from some statements made, and received with general t approval, at the meeting of the Main School Committee last night. The chairman of the Committee is reported to have 1 said " All honour to those teachers who did take part in the Bible lessons. (Hear, hear.) It would be a sorry day for New Zealand when teachers ceased to take an interest in the school children outside of school hours." We may add that it will also he a sorry day for sen' Zealand when, under the system of free secular education which obtains 1 by law, 'a teacher shall yet be ; rnqutred to bear in mind that "honour is to be his portion if he gives his assistance to an outside movement which may or may not accord with his convictions, and ! that if he holds himself aloof j from that movement, he may incur loss of honour and of favour I which otherwise he might enjov from the committee who are his most direct employers. For the avoidance of crave dancers the

only safe course seems: to us to be—and we suy so quite apart ' from uny opinions as to the propriety or otherwise of Bible lossons in tho schools—for the teacherft not to be expected, and indeed to bo discouraged. i • from taking any part in these lessons."