Educate Together is the answer to ‘sectarian model’

NORA BENNIS (Letters, November 30) suggests that Catholic domination and segregation of schools is required as the apparent only alternative is “theophobic indoctrination”, which would be no better.

This is a completely ridiculous assertion. Not even the most ardent Dawkins’ and Hutchens’ followers propose “theophobic indoctrination”. The most common model of schooling in Ireland outside the totally dominant Christian indoctrination model is that of Educate Together.

This asserts that all denominations are respected and that all children can be raised in an environment that respects all beliefs without insisting that only one is correct. This open-minded approach could not be further from the extremism suggested by Nora Bennis. It is little wonder that the Educate Together model is by far the fastest growing model of primary schools in Ireland.

This is why thinking parents who have an option are voting with their feet in opposition to the extremism demonstrated by those who insist that the wholly dominant segregation and sectarian model continue to be protected by the State and the taxpayer.

Andrew Doyle

Clifden

Lehenagh

Lislevane

Bandon

Co Cork