Requiring primary teachers to obtain Catholic certificate in religious studies 'discriminatory'

INTO general secretary John Boyle: Survey findings show 'a concern among teachers about the mismatch between modern Irish society and the structures governing our primary schools'. Picture: Moya Nolan

The country’s largest teachers’ union is to acknowledge requiring teachers to obtain the Catholic certificate in religious studies is a “discriminatory” employment barrier.

However, the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) has stopped short of working towards removing single-faith religious education from the school day, beginning with the requirement for teachers to prepare children for the Catholic sacraments.