Effective immediately, all Oklahoma schools must include the Bible and the Ten Commandments in their curriculums, as announced by the state’s chief education officer in a memorandum on Thursday.
During a State Board of Education meeting, Oklahoma State Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters emphasized the Bible’s significance, calling it “one of the most foundational documents used for the Constitution and the birth of our country.”
Walters stated, “It’s crystal clear to us that in the Oklahoma academic standards under Title 70 on multiple occasions, the Bible is a necessary historical document to teach our kids about the history of this country, to have a complete understanding of Western civilization, to have an understanding of the basis of our legal system.”
The new directive mandates that every classroom from grades 5 through 12 must have a Bible, and teachers are required to incorporate it into their teaching.
This move follows a recent law in Louisiana, passed on June 19, requiring all public classrooms to display the Ten Commandments. That law is currently facing legal challenges from a group of Louisiana parents and civil rights organizations, who argue it violates both U.S. Supreme Court precedent and the First Amendment.
“The Bible is an indispensable historical and cultural touchstone,” Walters said in the release. “Without basic knowledge of it, Oklahoma students are unable to properly contextualize the foundation of our nation. This is not merely an educational directive but a crucial step in ensuring our students grasp the core values and historical context of our country.”
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