Almost half of the population wouldn't choose a Christian school for their child, if they had the choice, according to a new poll.
The Education Minister’s admitted she’s frustrated with the pace of change of patronage, under the divestment programme, which started four years ago.
Jan O’Sullivan announced in the Dail today, that she was about to repeal a 50 year old regulation which gives religion in primary schools a privileged status.
Children’s rights advocate, Senator Jillian van Turnhout, on why she believes the time is ripe for change.
Currently, around 90 percent of primary schools are under the patronage of the Catholic Church – and in many areas, particularly rural ones, parents have NO choice of school.
This contrasts sharply with what people say they want for their children.
IN 2011, a schools divestment programme was begun, but since then just a handful of schools have changed hands.
Education Minister Jan O’Sullivan said she’s been meeting with stakeholders to move the programme along.
But Michael Barron says that’s just part of what’s needed to accelerate the change that 84 % of respondents to Equate’s survey say they want.
Meanwhile, Equate says it welcomes Minister O’Sullivan’s announcement in the Dail today that rule 68, which states that religious instruction is by far the most important in the curriculum is to be abolished in January.
