IPPN

Last Updated: Saturday, 28 June 2008 01:00

The Irish Primary Principals' Network (IPPN) today publishes the results of a comprehensive survey of school principals on the place of religion in primary schools. 750 principals (almost 1 in 4) participated in this research in parallel with the RedC survey of parental views on the same topic, which was published yesterday.

7 out of 10 parents (72%) want primary schools to be managed by the state, with equal opportunity afforded to all religions, according to a RedC poll commissioned by the Irish Primary Principals' Network.

This independent survey further reveals that 6 out 10 parents (57%) would prefer some of the 2½ hours per week currently spent on religion, to be given to other subject areas, in particular, to physical and health education.

Parents and principals hold some common views but differ in their opinions on other matters:
"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" said Sean Cottrell, National Director of IPPN.
Parents want the school and the class teacher to be responsible for the teaching of religion and faith formation within the school day; however Principals say that there is an overall decline in the level of interest and meaningful support coming from both parents and clergy in relation to preparation for religious ceremonies and events, with many parents just turning up on the day. Also, Principals report that there is a decline in the willingness and enthusiasm amongst teachers to undertake this work of preparing children for sacraments and other religious ceremonies.

"The debate about school governance must not be confined to matters of ethos and the teaching of religion. An effective Governance model must provide a management capacity as well. Effective management is essential to the running of a successful school. There is a danger of being hung-up on the issue of religion in schools which, while important, is a subsidiary issue to a far greater need which is not being addressed. Primary school boards of management are left to operate without proper legal, financial, building and human resource supports. With increasing legislative responsibility and litigation, it is little wonder that volunteerism is declining and schools find it increasingly difficult to establish a board of management. Focussing exclusively on the place of religion in future schools is akin to re-arranging the deck chairs on a ship which is running aground." said Mr. Cottrell.

Summary of Main findings:

• Over 750 Principals responded representing 23% of all primary schools
• 88% of schools who responded are under Catholic patronage with the remaining participants from Church of Ireland, Educate Together, An Foras Pátrúnachta, Multidenominational and others.
• 76% say that preparation for sacraments is currently done almost entirely by the school with parents attending on the day
• Nearly one-quarter (23%) say that the enthusiasm, willingness, competency and suitability of teachers to undertake faith formation and religious instruction is decreasing.
• Half (50%) say that the involvement of parents is decreasing
• 40% say the involvement of clergy is decreasing.
• Almost 9 out of 10 (87%) say that the preparation for sacraments and other religious ceremonies takes some or a lot more additional time from other curriculum areas. (note: This refers mainly to 2nd and 6th classes and seasonally throughout the year in other classes)
• 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.
• The proposed new VEC model of multi-faith schools where the school is responsible for religious instruction and faith formation for each faith group is considered difficult or impossible to implement by 80%

ends

Notes for editors:

Some comments from Principals in the survey
"As a practicing Catholic I thought the day would never come when I would advocate that religious formation and in particular preparation for Sacraments should totally take place within the parish structure. However my experience on the ground has brought me to this opinion"

"Children should not be segregated at any time during their standard school day on the basis of their religion!"

"Religion seems to be something that only happens in schools, especially for children whose parents do not practice.

"Sacraments are seen as an excuse for a social outing, new clothes and making more money than your classmates. The sooner it is taken out of school and handed back to parents the better. Then the committed parents will get involved with their childrens preparation and the ""social"" ones won't bother."

"Society is becoming more secularised and teachers reflect this change too. More and more the teachers preparing the children for the sacraments in schools do not practise what they preach."

"The Churches should no longer have any direct managerial role in the governance of schools. They should, however, continue to provide support and guidance to schools in all areas of Religious Instruction. Parishes can no longer afford to pay their contribution towards the cost of pre-fabs and buildings. Finance should be totally State provided.  The State should provide for the financing and management of all secular aspects of the schools and the Churches should provide for all aspects of the religious of the school i.e. ethos and religious instruction."

"It's time to do as they do in other countries. Leave the religious education to after school. Then the committed will be involved. Now it's merely a day out for those who do not practice. It's hypocrisy. These people will not be seen again until the next sacrament."

"A practical way to deal with this issue would be for schools to teach a general programme of faith and morals common to many religions and for the parents and clergy of the parish of whatever denomination they are, would take care of the specific faith formation and ceremonies if they are genuinely interested in passing on their faith."