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School Patronage

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 4 July 2018

Wednesday, 4 July 2018

Ceisteanna (121)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Ceist:

121. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the need to accelerate the separation of church and State in the area of education and in particular to ensure that no particular religious ethos compromises the objectivity of education in schools was recognised following the referendum to repeal the eighth amendment of the Constitution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29390/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The patron body of a school determines the ethos or characteristic spirit of the school, in accordance with Section 15 of the Education Act 1998, which provides that a board of management shall uphold, and be accountable to the patron for so upholding, the characteristic spirit of the school as determined by the cultural, educational, moral, religious, social, linguistic and spiritual values and traditions which inform and are characteristic of the objectives and conduct of the school.

Schools are required to teach all aspects of the curriculum. Elements of the curriculum cannot be omitted on the grounds of school ethos; however all aspects of the curriculum can be taught within the ethos and value system of the school. The Education (Admission to Schools) Bill 2016 seeks to introduce a new requirement for a school to set out the characteristic spirit and general objectives of the school in their admission policy.

The Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector was established to look at how schools can cater for diversity and ensure an inclusive and respectful environment for all their pupils. The Report of the Advisory Group to the Forum made a series of recommendations dealing with the creation of more inclusive schools.

The Forum also recommended that the Rules for National Schools, published in 1965, be reviewed and updated, beginning with the deletion of Rule 68. Rule 68, which stated that religious instruction was the most important part of the curriculum and that a religious spirit should "inform and vivify the whole work of the school", was rescinded in January 2016. Its removal is designed to ensure that the basis on which schools operate is in keeping with the diverse and welcoming nature of our modern school system.

As the Deputy will be aware, I have announced new plans aimed at accelerating the provision of multi-denominational and non-denominational schools across the country, in line with the choices of parents, families and school communities and the Programme for Government commitment to reach 400 such schools by 2030. 

Additionally, Community National Schools were introduced in 2008 in response to the increasing demand for parental choice in the patronage of primary schools.  The schools are multi-denominational and aim to accommodate parents who wish to have their children learn about different faiths and beliefs. The schools do not prioritise any particular religion or belief.

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