Sir, – The Department of Education survey that shows 40 per cent of parents want multidenominational schools is a distraction (‘Large number of parents seek shift to multidenominational ethos,’ Education, April 7th). Our human right to an objective education should not be subject to the preferences of our neighbours. Also, the survey was misleading, only giving parents an option to choose between two types of religious schools, with one type falsely implied to be nonreligious. And the Minister has confirmed that, ultimately, the patron bodies will have the final say.
Secular schools based on human rights should be the default in any neighbourhood. All local children should have equal access, and have their rights respected, regardless of anybody’s religious or nonreligious beliefs. The school should teach objectively about all religions and beliefs, without promoting either religion or atheism. The UN has repeatedly told Ireland to open such schools.
This survey used the misleading question: “Would you prefer your primary school to operate under a denominational (religious) patron or to operate under a multidenominational (nonreligious) patron?” But multidenominational is not the same as nonreligious.
The relevant issue is not the religious make-up of the patron body, but the ethos of the school. Multidenominational schools can have a Catholic chaplain, religious worship, their own religion and ethics courses, and celebrate religious festivals.
RM Block
The Forum on Patronage described non-denominational schools as under the patronage of a secular body that has an explicitly secular ethos. There are no such schools in Ireland, the option was not included in the survey, and the State has no plans to open any.
The process itself was also biased. Denominational patron bodies could email all parents encouraging them to prefer the status quo.
Atheist Ireland will continue to campaign for a secular State education system that respects human rights, regardless of the religious or nonreligious beliefs of parents, children, staff or board members. Religious parents should of course be able to open their own schools as alternative options, but not as the core of a State-funded system. – Yours, etc,
MICHAEL NUGENT,
JANE DONNELLY,
Atheist Ireland,
Brunswick Street North,
Dublin.
