Since my previous posting on enrolment policies The 'Conference on the Governance Challenge for Future Primary School Needs' organised by the Department of Education went ahead on 27th June last. Presentations delivered by the various speakers at the conference can be accessed using the following link to the Department of Education website.

Another contribution to the debate has been the publication of the results of two surveys carried out on behalf of the Irish Primary Principals' Network (IPPN) by RedC. The first survey explored parental attitudes towards the place of religion in primary schools. The IPPN advises that the survey indicates that “3 out of 4 parents want primary schools to be managed by the State, with equal status and opportunity for all religions.”

The second survey carried out by RedC on behalf of IPPN explored the views of school principals on the place of religion in primary schools.The survey shows that Principals are evenly divided in their views as to where and when religious instruction and faith formation should take place. Some see it as an integral part of the school day as at present and others say it should be separate from the primary school completely or offered as an option at the end of the school day.

However, according to Sean Cottrell, National Director of IPPN, the 2 surveys demonstrate that “both Principals (2 out of 3) and Parents (7 out of 10) want schools to be under the authority of the state with all religions given equal opportunity"

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