Primary school pupils will have freedom to reduce religious learning

Increased focus will be placed on pupil wellbeing amid concerns about rising levels of anxiety and mental health issues and 'flexible time' will be set aside each week for projects outside the core subjects. File picture: Danny Lawson/PA Wire

Primary school pupils will be taught foreign languages from third class onwards and schools will be given the freedom to reduce religious learning, under sweeping reforms proposed for the curriculum. 

Details of the first major overhaul of the primary school curriculum in 25 years will be brought to Cabinet today by Education Minister Norma Foley, with a move towards more 'fact-based" subjects, such as science and math, and a reduced emphasis on religion.