N.S.W. AND BIBLE IN SCHOOLS

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2173, 11 June 1914, Page 5

N.S.W. AND BIBLE IN SCHOOLS

THE LATEST REPORT,

The'report for the year 1913 of tho Minister of Public Instruction of Now South Wales was submitted to Parliament on April 6 last. In tho course of tho report the Chief Inspector states, under tho heading "Scripture and Morals":—

"Apart from tho indirect, hut none the less potent, influence of the school atmosphere, definite. moral instruction, including tlie reading of authorised Scripture lessons from tho Old and New Testaments is regularly given in all schools. To what is dono by the teachers must be added tho worlc of representatives' of various Teligious denominations.' Tho number of visits made by tlioso visiting religious teachers during the year shows a very considerable increase."

The Minister's report shows tho following "Return of religious denominations of pupils and visits paid for special religious instruction during tho year 1913" :—Number of children on roll, public primary schools, metropolitan district—Church of England, 53,357; Roman Catholic, 7988; Presbyterian, 9305; Methodist, 10,093; others, 8452. v, , Newcastle and Maitland DistrictsChurch 'of England, 11,103; Roman Catholic, 2008; Presbyterian, 2522; Methodist, 6229; others, 1833. Other Country Districts.—Church of England, 62,573; Roman Catholic, 20,895; Presbyterian. 15,423; Mpthodist, 16,303; others. 5293.

Total on roll, 253,377. Number of visits paid during year, public primary schools:—

Metropolitan Districts.—Church of England, 12,830: Roman Catholic, 192; Presbyterian, 2491; Methodist, 3802; others, 3S2S. , Nowcastlo and Maitlarid Districts.— Church of England, 2-150; Roman Catholic, 44; Presbyterian, 728; Methodist, 1445; others, 629.

Other Country' Districts.—Church of England, 15,6G6; Roman Catholic, 597; Presbyterian, 4703; Methodist, 5667; others, 2237.

Total visits paid, 57,321

In addition the Minister, in referring to the Girls' Industrial School and Training Home, says: —"Religious instruction is a matter which receives at nil times the closest attention. Prayers are hold daily, night and morning, and Thursday afternoons are specially reserved for visiting clergymen. Every facility is afforded to enable girls to. receive that religious training so necessary in the case of children, and .tlfti eft'orts of the visiting c|crgv are ably seconded by the members of our owii stall'."