An investigation into certain problems connected with the teaching of religion in the 'old' city of Halifax

Abstract

The thesis deals with the religious instruction of students in grades seven, eight and nine in Catholic schools in Halifax—i.e. public schools that have been traditionally designated for use by the Catholic population. The development of the Archdiocesan Office of Religious Education, in the period 1964-1972, as well as the views of its first leaders, are described. A comparison is made between their views and those of teachers who offer religious instruction in the schools. The teachers were surveyed by means of a questionnaire. The finding reveals the situation as it existed in the 1971-1972 school year. From the study many problems become evident, including such fundamental ones as: (1) the problem of communication between teachers and religious education leaders; (2) the problem of obtaining qualified instructors who are properly motivated, to teach religion. Recommendations tend to center around one point—religious instruction must be taken more seriously than it is at present. Properly qualified teachers should be sought, and those teachers who do not perform an adequate job, or those teachers who might do harm to pupils by their lack of religious belief, should be required to discontinue their involvement in the religion program. It is also recommended—consistently with suggestions from teachers and religious education leaders—that religious studies should be made a regular (i.e. credit) course, on the same footing as the other junior high courses, such as English, mathematics, gymnastics and music.