Parents in Ireland are being invited to offer their views on the teaching of religion in primary schools.

Minister for Education Ruairi Quinn is initiating a consultation process today (September 23rd) that will centre on religious and cultural inclusion in primary schools.  

The Minister urged parents and other interested parties to make submissions saying: "This is your chance to have your say and share your views with us."

"I strongly encourage parents, teachers and all those with an interest in this area to take this opportunity. Many schools are already doing a good job in catering for children from different cultural, religious and belief traditions.  I also want to hear about these good practices.”

The deadline for receipt of submissions is November 22nd and an explanatory leaflet about the process and how to take part is available here. 

The Minister's eight-week consultation process occurs at the same time as Atheism Ireland has announced proposals for a course about atheism for children. The course is to be piloted at Educate Together schools and will include ten lessons. The group said the course will teach children about atheism, rather than teach atheism - and it is to be taught in a manner that is objective and critical.

Mr Quinn's consultation process will last for eight weeks and is aimed at encouraging parents to get involved by putting forward ideas of how schools might handle the issue of inclusion of different cultural, religious and belief traditions.

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