Hon Bill English
National Party Education Spokesman

3 September 2006

National supports Anglican call to scrap guidelines

Education Minister Steve Maharey should follow the Anglican bishops’ advice and scrap his guidelines banning religion from state schools, says National Education spokesman Bill English.

Mr English was commenting on a statement from Anglican bishops calling for withdrawal of the guidelines.

“The bishops correctly criticise the rule that says prayers in Maori are acceptable but prayers in English aren't.

“This means it’s against the rules for children to sing ‘How Great Thou Art’, but it’s okay to sing ‘Whakaaria Mai’, its Moari translation.

“The bishops are also right to point out that school boards and parents are capable of sorting out what is acceptable in light of the law.

“These guidelines are a silly solution to a non problem. Mr Maharey should follow the advice of the Anglican bishops, who are expressing widely-held views, and scrap the guidelines.”

ENDS

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