Growing demand for non‑denominational education at primary schools, finds landmark survey

The majority of primary schools remain under Catholic patronage, despite moves in recent years to increase the number of non-denominational schools. File picture

Primary schools will soon receive reports outlining the preferences of local parents on the future of the school as a landmark survey finds strong demand for a move towards non-denominational education.

The national primary school survey, launched last November, found that 40% of parents with children attending religious-run schools do not wish to retain their school's religious ethos.

A further 73% of parents with children attending 276 single‑sex primary schools favour a move towards co‑education, the survey also found.

The survey also found 87% of parents in English-medium schools support maintaining English as the primary language of instruction, while 13% favour a move towards Irish becoming the primary language of instruction.

The vast majority of primary schools in Ireland remain under Catholic patronage.

Launching the survey last November, the Department of Education noted there is demand for non-denominational schools.

Representatives of Catholic patrons also supported the survey, previously stating: “Bishops would like to move as quickly as possible to a situation in which the State supports parents with the provision of schools whose ethos genuinely reflects what they want for their children.”

The figures represent a national overview and include the preferences of the 200,000 households that took part — 41% of all those eligible.

Parents of children currently in school as well as the parents of pre-school children, were invited to take part in the survey, which was linked with eircode data.

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According to the Department of Education, demand for change will vary based on each school, with the preferences of each individual school community determining its future direction.

These school-specific reports will also be published and will include the parental preferences of those currently attending the school, as well as incoming students.

Schools will also receive guidance from the department and will be asked to consider if they wish to be included in the first tranche of schools to “action any changes”, based on demand from parents.

The Department of Education will also soon begin consultations to develop best-practice arrangements for pupils whose parents request that they do not attend religious instruction.

Meanwhile, primary school teachers are to be balloted for industrial action should there be no progress on allowances agreed as part of the last public sector pay deal in the coming weeks.

The first day of the Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) annual congress carried a motion that allows its central executive committee to ballot members for industrial action should payment not be made by May.

INTO vice president Brendan Horan, president Anne Horan, and general secretary John Boyle at the union's annual congress in Killarney on Monday. Picture: Moya Nolan

On Monday, INTO general secretary John Boyle said the union is unhappy that allowances agreed under the local bargaining clause of previous public sector pay deal have yet to be paid, in a “blatant breach” of the agreement.

Delegates at the INTO conference also passed a motion instructing its members to be balloted for industrial action if primary school class sizes are not reduced in Budget 2027.

The current public sector pay deal is set to expire in the coming months. 

Addressing delegates on Monday, INTO president Anne Horan said its members will need “substantial pay settlements” to offset the rise in living costs and the fall in purchasing power ahead of upcoming public pay talks.

• Jess Casey is the Irish Examiner education correspondent