TENNESSEE'S NEW SCHOOL LAW

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2970, 6 January 1917, Page 8

TENNESSEE'S NEW SCHOOL LAW

Sir, —As letters on education are constantly appearing, the following, which refers to a new school law passed in 1915 by tho Tennessee Legislature, niay be of interest. The extract is from their Public School Laws, viz.:

"Whereas it is in the interest of good moral training, of a life of honourable thought and of good citizenship, that tho publicj school children should have lessons of morality brought to their attention during their school days, therefore, be it enacted: "Section I—That at least 10 verses from the Holy Bible shall' bo read or caused to bo read, without 'comment, at tho opening of each and every public school upon each and every school day, by the-teacher in charge. . . . "Section 3—That" pupils hiay be excused from the Bible reading upon tho written request of the paronts. . . ." Tennessee State has a population of over two millions. It, is regrettable that the Now Zealand State School Teachers' Association has not taken steps to collect information as regards laws relating to Bible-reading in State schools from the Education Departments of Canada, America, _ South Africa, Australia, Great Britain, Jamaica, etc., as this question of religious training in State schools is going to be a creat one in the future hero.—l am, etc., A NEW ZEALANDER. January 3, 1917.