Study finds low levels of religious practice among initial teacher education applicants

Future primary teachers are only taking on the role of religion teaching to get into jobs despite a lack of significant enthusiasm, new research suggests.

The study by NUI Galway’s school of education found low levels of religious practice among initial teacher education (ITE) applicants.

Lead author Manuela Heinz said the findings raise critical questions about the experiences, constitutional rights and professional practice of secular and teachers or those who are non-practising Catholics.