Religious studies critical

A member of the Anglican clergy believes that education officials need to review whether secondary school students’ exposure to religious studies classes is being ended too early.

As it stands now, at most secondary schools across the island, it is mandatory for junior school students to be taught the religious education subject, while senior students are allowed to choose if they want to do it at the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) level.

However, Rector of the St. Matthias Anglican Church, Reverend Hugh Sandiford, is of the view that this system should be reviewed, since all students should be exposed to some level of moral and ethical teachings throughout their school lives.

He said in light of the recent negative publicity regarding violence in some secondary schools, it is necessary that education officials review the curriculum as it relates to the teaching of religious studies.

“We also have the Health and Family Life programme which I know that some moral teachings do get imparted there, but could we increase that? You see, in this kind of age we are living in, everybody may not subscribe to certain doctrines. But it is not per say about doctrines that we are trying to get across, but rather to bring some ethical bearing back to society and morals to persons’ lives,” he said.

Reverend Sandiford touched on the topic as he delivered yesterday’s sermon, where he stressed that persons in society appear to be moving further away from God. He encouraged members of the congregation to closely look at their spirituality, and their relationship with God.

“I have noticed that in schools, we don’t really teach that anymore... As you look at religions around the world, they basically have this ethos of caring for each other, respecting each other.

“I am trying to encourage these morals and ethical values to return in an attempt to demonstrate us living as a people of God, having that relationship with God,” he said. (AH)