CHRISTIAN EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS

White Ribbon, Volume 27, Issue 10, 1 March 1956, Page 7

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS

As the Palmerston North Union chose Christian Education in Schools as one of its departments of work last year, the President (Miss C. Jamieson) gave a short talk on the subject at the August meeting, basing her remarks on the statement of facts given in a report by the Rev. J. D. Grocott, Dominion Superintendent of the Council of Christian Education. Religious education was given during 42 weeks of the year for one half-hour per week. The work was undertaken by ministers and lay workers. In country districts one minister often had to visit two, three, or even four schools in a week, and in very scattered areas five, six, and even more schools, though in these schools not every week. One headmaster in the South Island had asked for 14 teachers, but only seven were found. The time for the Scripture lesson then had ter be arranged so that every class had a lesson once a fortnight. In city schools there were usually four or five voluntary instructors, and in the large schools sometimes ten or even more. The lay workers would be those having had some teaching experience or were active workers in their respective

Churches, and were willing to learn up-to-date methods of giving instruction. A new syllabus of instruction had recently been prepared, and also a book of worship. Refresher courses were held from time to time, usually in the main centres. This year there was to be one at Palmerston North. There were 2,(XX) voluntary teachers in the Dominion, and 130,000 children receiving religious instruction. A headmaster in Palmerston North had estimated that as many as 70() children, including the primers, in Palmerston North schools alone were receiving no religious teaching in the schools, which number revealed a very serious and very regrettable shortage of voluntary instructors.