Religion not prioritised over literacy and numeracy say Catholic schools

Catholic schools are not undermining literacy and numeracy to prioritise teaching religion, the head of their representative body has said.

Ahead of the Catholic Primary Schools' Management Association (CPSMA) AGM today, general secretary Fr Tom Deenihan has hit out at criticisms of inclusiveness in the sector, which makes up almost 90% of the country’s 3,200 primary schools.

His comments on the teaching of religion will be seen as directed at Education Minister Ruairi Quinn who recently came under fire for suggesting teachers who need to give more time to his requirements that they focus on literacy and numeracy might sacrifice some of the half-hour a day set aside for religion.