Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 October 2019
126. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Skills if steps will be taken to cease the practice of segregation and discrimination against children on the basis of religion in schools by moving the teaching of religion to outside school hours, thereby allowing parents to choose whether they want their child to receive religious instruction in the school setting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41419/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraReligious education is one of the seven curricular areas of the Primary School Curriculum (1999) and schools are currently required to allocate thirty minutes per day for religious education. Section 30 of the Education Act 1998 provides that time will be made available in the school day to teach curriculum that arises from the characteristic spirit of the school.
This means that, unlike other curricular areas, the content of the religious education programme and arrangements for faith formation and sacramental preparation in a primary school is determined by the patron of the school. Multi-denominational schools, such as Community National Schools, teach a multi-belief and values curriculum, which is inclusive of all children. In such schools, faith formation and preparation for religious sacraments takes place outside of school hours.
Under the Constitution and the Education Act 1998 parents have a right to have their children opt out of any subject which is contrary to the conscience of the parent of the student or in the case of a student who has reached the age of 18 years, the student themself.
The manner in which any school ensures that the right to opt-out of any class including religion is upheld is a matter for the school concerned. The precise nature of the arrangements have to be considered by each school having regards to the particular circumstances in question including factors such as the numbers of children involved, the ages of those children and the availability of staff and physical space in the school concerned.
The Advisory Group to the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector (2012) acknowledged that denominational religious education, including faith formation and sacramental preparation are long-established features of the primary system. With regard to denominational religious education in primary schools, the Forum’s Report did not recommend that it be removed from the school day.
However, the Advisory Group had concerns about the amount of time which can be devoted to sacramental preparation in some schools and they recommended that it should not be allowed to encroach on time allocated for the general curriculum.
The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) is in the process of reviewing and redeveloping the Primary School Curriculum as a whole. As part of this process the allocation of time across the curriculum will be considered, which will include the time allocated to religious education. The NCCA will publish a draft overview of a redeveloped primary curriculum in autumn 2019.
The Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector also recommended that the State has a responsibility to ensure that all children have the right to receive Education about Religion and Beliefs (ERB) and Ethics. ERB and Ethics is being considered as part of the review and redevelopment of the primary curriculum, and is intended to be suitable for all children regardless of their religious beliefs.
At post-primary level, the Religious Education curriculum designed by the NCCA is an optional examinable subject at Junior and Leaving Certificate. Schools are not required to include the NCCA-developed Religious Education syllabuses at Junior or Senior Cycle as mandatory subjects on their curriculum
