Oklahoma superintendent orders public schools to teach the Bible

Oklahoma's top education official ordered public schools Thursday to incorporate the Bible into lessons for grades 5 through 12, the latest effort by conservatives to incorporate religion into classrooms.

The directive sent Thursday to superintendents across the state by Republican State Superintendent Ryan Walters says adherence to the mandate is compulsory and "immediate and strict compliance is expected."

"The Bible is a necessary historical document to teach our kids about this country," Walters said in a video posted on his official X account. He said multiple figures used the Bible as the basis for foundational documents and movements in the country. "Every teacher, every classroom in the state will have a Bible in the classroom, and will be teaching from the Bible," he said.