CORRESPONDENCE.
BRITISH METHODS OF BIBLE INSTRUCTION IN SCHOOLS.
(To the Editor.)
Sir. —The following concerning Bible instruction in the schools of Great Britain is timely ; In London County Council Schools, Bible instruction is regularly given. A syllabus of scripture lessons is provided. In Birmingham, the original home of purely secular instruction, the Bible was for some years excluded by the Board from their schools, but has since been reintroduced and is now read daily. The School Boards in Scotland are empowered to provide religious instruction for the pupils in attendance at the public schools, but parents are entitled to withdraw their children from such instruction if they so desire. Religious instruction of some kind is universal in Scottish public schools at present.
The Edinburgh School Board provides a syllabus of scripture lessons, no books are used except the Bible and Shorter Catechism. All classes are examined by an inspector. There is no conscience clause for teachers, but there is for scholars. Religious instruction has always been given in Edinburgh schools and no difficulty has been experienced in connection therewith.
In Glasgow Board Schools religious instruction is given daily. The Board provides the syllabus ; there is a conscience clause for scholars. The Ten Commandments aud precepts in the Book of Proverbs, etc., are committed to memory.
In Ireland, the patrons and managers of all National Schools have the tight to permit the holy scriptures, either in the authorised or Douay version, to be read at the time set apart lor religious instruction. A tablet containing the Ten Commandments is provided for each class room. Opportunities must be afforded to the pupils of all schools for receiving such religious instruction as their parents or guardians approve.
The Bible has been sanctioned for use iu Irish National Schools, subject to the rules, since the commencement of the National system of education in IS3I. The religious denominations of the children on the rolls of the Irish National Schools for the year 1905 are as follows : Roman Catholic children, 549.234 ; Protestant children, 765Thanking you, sir, in anticipation. —I am, yours truly,
S. Pearson. 253 Cuba Street, Wellington, 13th June, 1914.
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Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1260, 18 June 1914, Page 4
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355CORRESPONDENCE. Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1260, 18 June 1914, Page 4
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