Secondary school pupils want more religion in their classrooms and not less, according to a survey by the Children’s Ombudsman.

The survey revealed that 34% of 1,036 young people surveyed desired more religious education in schools while also indicating that only 3% wished to see religious education removed entirely from the curriculum.

A leading figure in Catholic education, Alan Hynes of the Catholic Education Partnership (CEP) welcomed the results of the survey. And said that the young people’s responses need to translate into a new appreciation for religious education.

Mr Hynes, CEO of the CEP, told the Irish Catholic: “I found it very interesting because these were the voices of young people,” he said. “It’s positive from our point of view. This idea that young people are interested and intrigued by these things and why wouldn’t they be?

“The downplaying of religion in the education system that’s becoming vogue, not just among the patrons but you would commonly see people arguing that religion shouldn’t have any place in schools. I think that’s a mistake.”