tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4011000244020301791.post7371587567982887761..comments2011-05-28T21:35:02.611-07:00Comments on Sceptics NZ: Religious Instruction in NZ Public SchoolsSceptics NZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05213903046215404027noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4011000244020301791.post-70159990584077640562011-05-28T21:35:02.611-07:002011-05-28T21:35:02.611-07:00You refer to "Public Schools" but you ma...You refer to "Public Schools" but you may need to be clear about what you mean . For instance you can have private schools in NZ that can teach pretty anything (and in some cases like Exclusive Brethen schools, probably teach creationism). I do have issues, in that I believe these schools need more oversight to ensure that they are not teaching kids anti-science nonsense.<br /><br />Then there are 'Special Character' schools. These are public, state funded schools that have agreed to meet all state standards, but which have special charters, in which groups contribute extra funding and apply elegiblity rules; Catholic schools are the most common of these. These schools mostly have reasonible education standards and give religious instruction for maybe an hour a week. I don't have a major problem with these schools as I believe in freedom of choice. <br /><br />The third groups is mainstream, public schools without a special charter. Again I don't have a particular problem with allowing some RI; on the proviso that:<br /> a) It is 'opt in' (children and there parents have to choose to take it)<br /> b) Those not opting in, can use time productively - perhaps listening to skeptoid episodes or critical thinking lessons<br /> c) Schools must not just choose one religious group; should be pan-religion and belief systems<br /><br />I am an atheist who personally found half-hearted RI education at school helped to turn me off religion.<br /> <br />I think the "Keep Religion out of School" Facebook group needs be the same; the focus should be aimed at the worst schools; i.e. I know a teacher who applied for a job at a local baptist school, and was asked their views on evolution. They clearly understood during the interview process, that being gay or having a sceptical/scientific viewpoint would have ruled them out. All unwritten of course.Granthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12737606447979761324noreply@blogger.com