The Teachers’ Union of Ireland have launched a ferocious broadside against the Minister for Education’s recent circular that schools must provide alternative classes to students who opt-out of religion.
TUI General Secretary John MacGabhann described the policy, which had arrived “out of the blue yonder” without any consultation, as extraordinary, ham-fisted, poorly thought out, badly worded, premature and lacking in resources. He also criticised an apparent inequality in its implementation as it would only apply to ETB schools and community colleges, but not to other schools.
He said there was a suspicion that the Department was opportunistically attempting to throw the burden of providing an environment free of religious instruction on one sector while avoiding a row or confrontation with voluntary or denominational schools. He said the circular imposed a requirement but without the resources to implement which was like asking schools to shovel sand with a fork. He noted that some schools had to deliver around two hours a week of religious instruction – but warned some students could end up opting out in order to enjoy additional instruction in other subjects in order to boost their prospects in the points race.
