Religious education has been found to make a real and positive contribution to wellbeing and can therefore be an integral part of the Junior cycle programme according to just published research.

Writing in the Journal of Irish Educational Studies, DCU academic Amalee Meehan argues that while it should never be the case that the rights of parents or their children regarding Religious Education are compromised, Religious Education can make a real and positive contribution to wellbeing in the Junior Cycle. Her paper reviews two recent international longitudinal studies to demonstrate the strong positive correlation between religion and wellbeing. It goes on to highlight the potential of Religious Education in helping schools to fulfil the Junior Cycle wellbeing requirements. It concludes that as a legitimate source of wellbeing, Religious Education with sound content and pedagogy, well taught by qualified and supported teachers, can be an integral part of a Junior Cycle programme.