PRIVATE SCHOOLS

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31005, 10 March 1966, Page 18

PRIVATE SCHOOLS

No Invitation By Association

The Canterbury School Committees’ Association last night rejected a proposal that representatives of private schools be invited to attend meetings of the association. A delegate had moved at the last meeting that in view of the number of private schools in Canterbury, their representatives should be invited to meetings. The matter had been referred to the executive whose members disclosed last night that they saw no purpose in inviting such representatives. The meeting also drew the attention of school committees to their responsibilities relating to religious instruction and observances in public schools.

Under an Act of Parliament passed in 1962 school committees have power to determine whether religious instruction should be given and to approve voluntary instructors of religion. Religious observances must be conducted in a manner approved by the school committee for not more than 30 minutes in any week. Parents or guardians who do not wish their children to take part in the instruction or observances must make their wishes known in writing to the head teacher.

Any teacher in a school may be freed on request from duties for up to 30 minutes a week to allow him to take part in religious instruction or observances in the school if the committee so approves.

No pressure shall be brought to bear on any teacher to induce him to take part in any religious instruction or observance.