Government must speed up divestment of schools from religious patronage says Cummins

The government must act on the findings of an Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) survey by accelerating the process of divesting schools from religious patronage, according to Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins.

Deputy Cummins, who is the party’s education spokesperson, said:

“The survey’s findings confirm there is widespread support among primary school teachers for a reduced role of religion in our classrooms. The results reflect a growing consensus in Irish society that our education system must evolve to reflect the diversity of modern Ireland.

“It is therefore not surprising that the INTO survey found that most primary teachers want secular patrons for schools and believe faith formation should no longer take place in the classroom.

“The Social Democrats have long called for our schools to be secular and believe that our education system must be inclusive and respectful of all beliefs and none.

“At this week’s INTO conference, Social Democrats councillor Paddy Monahan – a longtime campaigner on this issue – spoke passionately about the need for faith formation to take place outside the classroom. As a party, we are deeply committed to ensuring that no child feels excluded or different because of their religious background.

“The last programme for government committed to delivering 400 multidenominational primary schools by 2030. Given the glacial pace of progress to date, with 88 per cent of schools still under Catholic patronage, it is highly unlikely that this target can be achieved.

“The previous government also promised to establish a citizens’ assembly on the future of education. However, I am concerned that this commitment seems to have been watered down to a national convention on education by current Minister Helen McEntee.

“It is important that we respect the right to hold religious beliefs. But to protect the religious beliefs of all in a pluralist society, as well as the right to an education, faith formation needs to be outside the classroom.”