News - Education officials scrap plan for religion crackdown

1.00pm Monday September 4, 2006

The Education Ministry has backtracked on plans to issue guidelines that would have highlighted a ban on religion in state primary and intermediate schools.

The guidelines would have made it clear to schools that prayers or Christian karakia in primary schools would have been illegal in most circumstances under the Education Act.

But principals, Bishops and opposition MPs all criticised the proposed guidelines as unworkable and unnecessary.

A spokesman for Education Minister Steve Maharey today told NZPA the plan, which the ministry had developed independently, had been canned.

Last month the ministry said it had come up with the guidelines in response to a "modest stream" of complaints from parents.

The advice reiterated that religious education and observance were illegal in primary schools' normal hours under the 1964 Education Act.

Since 1877 such activities have only been able to take place on a voluntary basis, when normal classes are closed.

Education Ministry senior manager Martin Connelly said the new guidelines clarified schools' legal obligations under the Education Act.

It also proposed a change so students no longer had to be formally excused from religious activities. Instead their parents would have to request they be included.

The guidelines said "whole of school" religious activities, such as prayers at assemblies, should be avoided as they may put indirect pressure on pupils to participate.

A briefing paper presented to MPs said overtly religious karakia were okay in kura kaupapa as long as parents were advised they were part of the institution's special character.

This was because they were inextricably intertwined with Maori culture and custom.

It was also accepted that the teaching of Maori culture to other primary students could also have an element of religion as long parents were warned in advance.

Officials said the guidelines were merely advice, but schools were still free to make their own decisions.

However critics said the guidelines were confusing and decisions should be left to schools and their communities.

- NZPA (nzherald.co.nz)

interesting... I wonder what they would have done to our national anthem?!? scrap it?? School's couldn't possibly sing it at assemblies because it would be forcing "religion" on the innocent children's minds

God Defend New Zealand

Māori Version

E Ihoā Atua,
O ngā iwi mātou rā
Āta whaka rongona;
Me aroha noa
Kia hua ko te pai;
Kia tau tō atawhai;
Manaakitia mai
Aotearoa

Ōna mano tāngata
Kiri whero, kiri mā,
Iwi Māori Pākehā,
Rūpeke katoa,
Nei ka tono ko ngā hë
Māu e whakaahu kë,
Kia ora mārire
Aotearoa

Tōna mana kia tū!
Tōna kaha kia ū;
Tōna rongo hei pakū
Ki te ao katoa
Aua rawa ngā whawhai
Ngā tutū a tata mai;
Kia tupu nui ai
Aotearoa

Waiho tona takiwā
Ko te ao mārama;
Kia whiti tōna rā
Taiāwhio noa.
Ko te hae me te ngangau
Meinga kia kore kau;
Waiho i te rongo mau
Aotearoa

Tōna pai me toitū
Tika rawa, pono pū;
Tōna noho, tana tū;
Iwi nō Ihowā.
Kaua mōna whakamā;
Kia hau te ingoa;
Kia tū hei tauira;
Aotearoa

English Version

God of Nations at Thy feet,
In the bonds of love we meet,
Hear our voices, we entreat,
God defend our free land.
Guard Pacific's triple star
From the shafts of strife and war,
Make her praises heard afar,
God defend New Zealand.

Men of every creed and race,
Gather here before Thy face,
Asking Thee to bless this place,
God defend our free land.
From dissension, envy, hate,
And corruption guard our state,
Make our country good and great,
God defend New Zealand.

Peace, not war, shall be our boast,
But, should foes assail our coast,
Make us then a mighty host,
God defend our free land.
Lord of battles in Thy might,
Put our enemies to flight,
Let our cause be just and right,
God defend New Zealand.

Let our love for Thee increase,
May Thy blessings never cease,
Give us plenty, give us peace,
God defend our free land.
From dishonour and from shame,
Guard our country's spotless name,
Crown her with immortal fame,
God defend New Zealand.

May our mountains ever be
Freedom's ramparts on the sea,
Make us faithful unto Thee,
God defend our free land.
Guide her in the nation's van,
Preaching love and truth to man,
Working out Thy glorious plan,
God defend New Zealand.