Religion teaching jobs ‘swept away’

Making religion an optional subject for students at hundreds of second-level schools has forced trainee teachers to look for work abroad, an educationalist has warned.

Education Minister Richard Bruton announced in February that community schools and multi-denominational schools run by education and training boards (ETBs) must offer all students an option to take a different subject instead of religion.

The move is expected by schools to result in thousands of students choosing alternative subjects, particularly those in fifth and sixth year who want an additional Leaving Certificate subject.