Parents’ views to inform schools’ faiths policy

The views of more than 350 parents are being assessed in the formation of government policy on how Catholic schools should cater for children of other beliefs and traditions.

They were among 437 individuals and groups to respond to last autumn’s call from Education Minister Ruairi Quinn for submissions on making primary schools more inclusive. The emphasis is on 1,700 standalone Catholic schools in areas where families of different faiths or none have no other local school to choose from for their children.

The recommendations of an expert group who oversaw the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector include a need for schools to respect a parent’s right to have their child opt out of religion class, and to make appropriate provision for pupils during religion class. These and other recommendations were set out in an information leaflet circulated through schools last September, with the help of the National Parents’ Council-Primary, and responses were received by the November deadline from:

* 359 individual parents;

* 10 parents’ associations;

* 18 serving staff in schools;

* Eight boards of management.

More than 40 came from organisations such as school management bodies, unions and other stakeholders.

“The minister is pleased with the level of response to the consultation and, in particular, with the number of parents who responded to the consultation,” the Department of Education said.

“In accordance with the Programme for Government commitment, the submissions received, together with the forum report findings and recommendations, are now being considered with a view to developing a White Paper outlining Government policy in this area,” it said.

The white paper is to be published later this year.

Other issues in the April 2012 patronage forum report include a recommendation that schools have clear and fair enrolment policies so parents know how places are allocated, an issue also being dealt with on a wider basis by planned legislation to regulate school admissions.

The expert group said schools should ensure time spent on preparation for religious sacraments does not reduce time for other subjects, and that religious pictures and symbols should reflect beliefs and cultures of all children in a school in a balanced way.

The consultation asked for views on recommendations, but also for details of negative and positive experiences in local schools, and parents’ proposals.

The head of the organisation representing boards of Catholic primary schools, which make up 90% of all 3,300 in the country, said two weeks ago there was a false narrative that they are not inclusive.

Fr Tom Deenihan said impressions being given that time is spent on religion teaching at the expense of literacy and numeracy are also inaccurate.

In an Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) survey last year, 70% of primary teachers said more time is spent preparing pupils for sacraments than is recommended for religion class. While two-thirds agreed with religion being taught in school time, the number was down 20% on those who held the same view in 2002.