Why is the State teaching moral education for all students through religion?
The NCCA Religious Education course (an exam subject) contributes to the moral education of ALL students through religion. Students are not offered another subject if opted out. Some schools make the course compulsory. This is religious discrimination. Why does the state even want to contribute to the moral education of ...
There are still plenty of resources for ETB schools to pay salaries of Catholic chaplains
ETB schools (the alternative to denominational) claim that they don’t have enough resources to give an alternative subject to students who opt out of the optional NCCA religion course. But they still have plenty of resources to pay Catholic Chaplains the equivalent of a teacher's salary. In 2016 it was ...
NCCA Religion Course was always optional
The NCCA Religious Education Course was optional when it was first introduced in 2000. The roll out of the course took 3 years. At the time, no Schools, Teachers, the TUI, Patron Bodies or the Catholic Bishops complained about needing extra resources for a new course that was introduced into ...
A Secular State Protects A Pluralist Society – Part 4 of 5 – Education
In July 2019 Atheist Ireland took part in a meeting of the Dialogue Process between the Government, Churches, and Non-Confessional Organisations in Ireland. This page is part 4 of Atheist Ireland's policy document submitted to the Irish Government as part of this process. You can read the other sections of this ...
Please ask your TDs to ensure that all abuse victims in Louise O’Keeffe case get compensation
Please contact your local TDs and ask them to ensure that all the victims of abuse in Irish schools, similar to that in the Louise O'Keeffe case, get justice and compensation. The Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar has apologised to victims of abuse in day schools. But the State has for the ...
Atheist Ireland calls for ethical secularism at meeting with Taoiseach and Government
Michael Nugent and Jane Donnelly of Atheist Ireland are today calling for an ethical secular State at a meeting of the Dialogue Process between the Taoiseach, the Government, Churches, and Non-confessional Bodies, in Dublin Castle. The meeting is addressing three themes: Effective Structured Dialogue, Inclusive and Diverse Communities, and Education. ...
Secular Dublin City University is using State resources to research and advance faith development of adults
Dublin City University, a non-denominational secular University, is conducting a three-year research project on Adult Religious Education and Faith Development (AREFD), funded by the Presentation Sisters North East Province, and run through the Mater Dei Centre for Catholic Education at the University. The aim of the project will be to ...
How parents stopped Castleknock Educate Together school using Catholic agency Accord to deliver sex education
Guest post by Graeme Carter, of the parents' group No Accord in Educate Together As of Friday 7th June, the Catholic charity agency Accord will no longer be delivering the Relationship and Sex Education curriculum in Castleknock Educate Together National School. The school’s announcement of this fact was a pleasant ...
Irish schools breach GDPR rules regarding religious and nonreligious beliefs
Irish schools are breaching their obligations under GDPR and human rights law, in relation to the right of parents and students to not attend religious teaching and worship while not disclosing sensitive information. Atheist Ireland has written to the Data Protection Commissioner, the Department of Education, and the ETBI about ...
How the Irish education system indoctrinates atheists and religious minorities
The Irish Constitution obliges the State to respect the inalienable right of parents to ensure the education of their children is in conformity with their convictions. The European Court of Human Rights has defined indoctrination in the education system as not ‘respecting’ parents’ convictions. Despite this, Church and State in ...