South Carolina public schools may place the Ten Commandments on display, the state attorney general said yesterday.

"A public school is not a place of religion. But religion has a consititutional place in the public schools," said Charlie Condon, a Republican.

Condon said the commandments must be part of an exhibit to teach students about law, history, or culture. Posting them alone probably would be unconstitutional, he said.

Steve Bates, executive director of the state chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, said he expected to see the matter in court.