Ireland’s primary schools
reflect religious diversity
FOUR in every five primary schools in Ireland now cater for pupils from
at least two religious backgrounds, with one-in-six catering for children
of at least six different faiths, a survey has revealed.
The figures reflect the growing diversity in the population generally
as well as in the education system.
The Irish Primary Principals’ Network (IPPN) surveyed 450 of its
members ahead of its annual conference in Killarney which this year adopted
the theme of Changing Ireland.
They reported that 63 per cent of primary schools have between two and
five different religions represented in their classes.
A further 16 per cent have at least six different religions in their enrolments.
Despite these figures around 95 per cent of the country’s 3,000-plus
primary schools are still run under the patronage of the local Catholic
bishop.
However growing numbers of inter-denominational and multi-denominational
schools have been set-up around the country since the mid-1990s.
Under the primary school curriculum, 30 minutes a day is to be dedicated
to religious education but this can cause difficulties where parents choose
to have their children removed from class when religion is being taught.
IPPN director Seán Cottrell said: “The main impact on teaching
is that a lot of accommodation has to be made in these circumstances.
Some children’s parents don’t want them being in the classroom
during religion.
“It’s a minority of overseas families who exercise this right
but it can cause problems, particularly in smaller schools where it’s
very hard moving children around.”
He said the issue is another aspect of our rapidly-changing society which
was not envisaged when the Education Act was passed in 1998, enshrining
a parent’s right to send their child to the school of their choice.
“But the school also has a right to effect its ethos, not just in
the teaching of religion but in all aspects of its work,” said Mr
Cottrell.
“Archbishop Diarmuid Martin has already said the primary ethos of
a school should be education so perhaps the time is right to discuss the
conflicting rights of parents and schools in relation to denominational
education.”
The IPPN survey also highlighted some of the challenges facing schools
from a language perspective, with one-in-five schools catering for children
who use six or more different mother tongues.
About 6 per cent of schools have at least 11 such ‘home languages’.
Only one-third of primary schools cater solely for Irish pupils and the
survey says there are more than 600 schools where children from between
five and 10 different countries are being taught.
More than 700 primary school principals and deputy principals attended
the conference, where the Ombubsman for Children Emily Logan and Minister
for Education Mary Hanafin gave keynote speeches.
|
