Is your local ETB school offering an alternative subject to religion? Contact Atheist Ireland and let us know

Atheist Ireland, the Evangelical Alliance of Ireland, and the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community of Ireland, will be meeting the Department of Education again in September, to discuss the recent directive regarding religion in ETB schools.

We would like to be able to bring as much information to that meeting as possible, about what is happening on the ground in ETB schools and colleges.

In February this year, the Department of Education issued a Circular Letter regarding religion in ETB schools. You can find that Circular Letter here Circular Letter RSE 0037 2010

Atheist Ireland, the Evangelical Alliance of Ireland, and the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community of Ireland, met the Department of Education while they were preparing this directive.

At that meeting, the Department told us that the Circular Letter will oblige ETB schools and colleges to implement the following:

1. Students can opt out of religious instruction and choose another curriculum subject.
2. Students can opt out of the State Religious Education curriculum (exam subject) and choose another curriculum subject.
3. Students can opt out of combined religious instruction and the State Religious Education course and choose another curriculum subject.

We are now asking parents and students to contact us, and let us know how your ETB is implementing the new Circular Letter.

We would like to know the name of the ETB school, and whether or not the school has implemented the above three scenarios.

The Circular Letter applies to ETB Community Schools, Designated and Non-designated Community Colleges.

You can contact Jane Donnelly at email humanrights@atheist.ie

You can read our articles on this New Circular Letter on the links below

New directive on religious instruction will change the culture of ETB schools

Atheist Ireland, Evangelical Alliance, Ahmadi Muslims welcome opt-out from religion in ETB schools

Atheist Ireland welcomes proposed opt-out from religious instruction in ETB schools

The right to opt out of the State Religious Education course in ETB secondary schools

How the State Religious Education Course breaches Human and Constitutional Rights

Despite TUI claims, the Directive on alternatives to religious education can be implemented

DCU Dean Anne Looney already knew in 2010 that the Religion course in ETB secondary schools was optional

Despite TUI claims, the Directive on alternatives to religious education did not come out of the blue

Atheist Ireland asks TUI to withdraw threat to undermine the rights of parents and children

Atheist Ireland response to Mater Dei/DCU appeal to talk about Religious Education

How the State Religious Education course disrespects the rights of atheist and secular families