Vol. 449 No. 7
179 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Education, in view of increasing public concern surrounding new movements commonly referred to as cults and in view of the tragic events at Waco, in the United States of America, Solar Temple in Switzerland and in Canada, if preventative programmes will be considered by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4536/95]
By way of Constitutional background, Article 42 of the Constitution acknowledges that the primary and natural educator of the child is the family and also states that parents shall be free to provide this education in their homes or in private schools or in schools recognised and established by the State. The same Article also indicates that the State shall not oblige parents, in violation of their conscience and lawful preference, to send their children to schools established by the State or to any particular type of school designated by the State. Article 44 allows for freedom of practice of religion and the freedom of conscience. However, these rights are subject to public order and morality. The State further guarantees not to endow any particular religion.
The education system has as one of its objectives the production of well balanced and rounded individuals capable of playing their full part in society. This objective permeates the curriculum in our schools and provides a level of safeguard against more extreme influences.
I propose to consider whether the treatment of issues such as new cult movements can be dealt with in the new civic, social and political education programme which is being introduced as part of the core curriculum at junior cycle from 1996 or as part of civil, social and economic education in the new applied leaving certificate programme being introduced in 1995.
