IPPN

Last Updated: Saturday, 28 June 2008 01:00

The Irish Primary Principals' Network (IPPN) today publishes the results of an independent survey on parental attitudes towards the place of religion in primary schools.

The survey, commissioned by IPPN, conducted by RedC between June 9th - 11th, demonstrates clearly that 3 out of 4 parents want primary schools to be managed by the State, with equal status and opportunity for all religions.

"There has been a lot of discussion about the place of religion in our primary schools. Much of this comes from those with an established ideological position." said Seán Cottrell, National Director of IPPN. "Every day, in schools throughout the country, it is parents and principals who have to work together to plan and resolve the practical issues that arise out of religious difference, such as enrolment, withdrawal from religion classes and preparation for religious events".

"We believe it is important that IPPN learns independently, what parents actually think and feel about the role of the religious in school management and the extent to which parents want the teaching of religion and the preparation for Sacraments in their primary schools", commented Larry Fleming, President, IPPN.

Cottrell also stated, "IPPN believes that up until now the voice of parents has not been sufficiently heard on this matter. To complement this research IPPN will, tomorrow, publish the results of further major research, this time detailing the views and opinions of Principals on the same topic."

RedC Poll - Summary of Main Findings

When given the choice the great majority of parents (72%) would prefer to see schools run by the state with equal status and opportunity for all religions.

• Two in five (43%) of all those with children under the age of 15 in Ireland would like to see the two and half hours spent on teaching religion each week retained.
• However this means that over half of all adults in Ireland with children under the age of 15 would like to see some of this time reallocated to other activities.
• The main activity that parents appear to want to see more time spent on is physical activity, with 1 in 4 (26%) stating they would like to see some of the time spent on religion re-allocated to this activity.
• Mothers (32%) and those in younger under 25 year old age groups (45%) are behind the drive for more time spent on physical and health education.
• In contrast with this apparent move away from religious education in schools, over half of all parents (56%) do believe that religious instruction and the preparation for Sacraments should be taught by the class teacher during school hours.
• Those more likely to feel that it should be the responsibility of parents, appear to also come from younger under 25 year age groups, who are likely to also have much younger and fewer children.

Commenting on the results, Mr. Fleming went on to say, "Such a large majority in favour of state run schools with equal status and opportunity for all religions has to be seen as an endorsement of the DES decision to pilot a new model of school patronage in Dublin next year which will see, for the first time, the VEC as patron of two new Community National Schools."

ends

Notes for editors:

Full results of the RedC poll available as a PDF document on request. Please email pro@ippn.ie. Results of the IPPN survey of Principal Teachers on their views and attitudes to be released later today (Sat 28th) for use onTuesday, 30th June.