RELIGIOUS EDUCATIOX I^' N.S.W. 801 



The churches, anticipating that the new system would lead 

 to the withdrawal of aid from the schools they had established, 

 protested strongly against the movement, and so insistent was the 

 opposition that no decided action was taken by the Government 

 until 1848. Then two boards were appointed — a Denominational 

 Board to supervise the work of% education connected with the 

 churches, and a National Boar(,l to organise and administer the new 

 system of National Education. 



From this period the education of the children became a portion 

 of the State policy. The existence of the Denominational Board, 

 proclaimed, with no uncertain sound, the influence of ministers of 

 religion at that time, and further, the determination of a large 

 section of the people to have their children taught at school the 

 religious beliefs they entertained. 



For a time the national system was very much misunderstood 

 by the public, and the Commissioners met, with great opposition in 

 the prosecution of their duties. They had* to proceed slowl)'. The 

 first national scliool in Australia was opened in 1849, in the old 

 Military Hospital in Fort street, Sydney; and in that building the 

 board had its office also. Four national schools were opened in 

 1849, and the great work of inaugurating the first non-sectarian 

 national school system in Australia was fairly commenced. 



The competition between the schools under the two boards was 

 marked. Strong opposition to the national system was manifested 

 in many quarters. But when it became known that special attention 

 was paid by the board to the character and qualifications of the 

 teachers; and that thoroughh- trained men were being obtained 

 from the Home Countries to take charge of the principal schools ; 

 and, further, that the ordinary teaching embraced general religious 

 instruction and the regular reading by the pupils of approved extracts 

 from the Old and New Testaments, and that this general religious 

 instruction was supplemented by special religious instruction given 

 by clergjrmen to the children of their respective denominations, during 

 school hours, public opinion began to soften. 



To meet objections freely urged against the system, the board 

 in one of its early reports said : — 



'■ The object of the national system is to afford facilities to 

 persons of every denomination for the efficient education of their 

 children in the same school, without prejudice to the conscientious 

 convictions of any. National schools, therefore, are open upon equal 

 terms to all, and adequate provision is made for supplying the two 

 parts, secular and religious, of which a complete education consists. 

 In reference to the former, it may suffice to state, that all the ordinaiy 

 branches of an English education are taught in every national school. 

 The religious instruction is divided into general and special. The 

 general religious instruction is given by the teacher to all the 

 children whose parents do not object, and is of such a character 

 that all Christians may receive it without offence. It is intended 

 that the special religious instruction should be given by clergymen, 

 or other approved religious teachers, to the children of their 

 respective persuasions, and every necessary arrangement is made for 

 the purpose." 



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