23-04-2025
Preparation for sacraments should happen outside of classroom
An overwhelming majority of primary school teachers believe families or parishes should be responsible for preparing children for the sacraments of communion and confirmation.
A survey of teachers carried out by the Irish National Teachers' Organisation has found just 4% feel the responsibility should lie with schools.
The same survey found that two thirds believe primary schools should be secular as opposed to having religious patrons.
1,049 teachers responded to a detailed questionnaire that was sent by the union to a random sample of 5,000 members who are representative of the union as a whole in terms of age, gender, urban or rural and other factors.
Publishing the findings, the INTO said the survey "provides a valid dataset for analysing the views and opinions of INTO members regarding religious education and school patronage".
The survey findings are supported by recommendations from a taskforce that were endorsed in their entirety by INTO delegates at their annual congress in Galway yesterday.
The taskforce on the future of school patronage was established at the request of delegates at last year's gathering.
In the survey, 57% of respondents said religious instruction should not take place in primary schools.
This rose to two thirds among teachers under the age of 44.
The survey reveals a preference consistent across all age groups for schools to be run by secular patrons, with 63% favouring this option.
Currently the vast majority of primary schools are run by the churches, with the Catholic Church in charge of nine out of ten primary schools here.
At last year's INTO congress, members mandated the union to conduct this research and to establish the taskforce.
In its recommendations the taskforce calls for an acceleration of the school divestment process; for the repeal of legislation that allows for teachers to be discriminated against on the basis of their religious or non religious beliefs; and for the union to engage with Catholic bishops to seek "a more flexible approach" to the requirement for a religious certificate to teach in Catholic schools.
It also calls for the removal of sacramental preparation from the core school day.
"Repealing this legislation, and the removal of sacramental preparation from schools are two of the most pressing issues for teachers and they are the most immediately achievable" said Anna Hurley, a West Cork teacher, INTO delegate, and member of the taskforce.
"They can be done at no cost and they will help ensure inclusive learning and teaching environment for all pupils and teachers of all faith backgrounds and none" she said.
Teaching religion
33% of survey respondents said they taught religion willingly.
20% said they would prefer if they did not have to teach religion, and an additional 19% said they would be happy to teach a broad religious programme but would prefer not to instruct in only one particular faith.
An overwhelming majority of respondents (87%) indicated there are pupils attending their denominational schools who are not of the faith of the school, and almost the same level (83%) agreed that children in all schools should be taught about other religions.
The survey findings and the fact that delegates adopted the recommendations of the taskforce together indicate a strong desire for modernisation and change among the primary teacher workforce.
On the last day of their annual gathering, delegates in Galway will debate the issue of patronage and barriers to diversity in education here.
