22/04/2010

Forced Religion Classes For Teachers Face Axe

Ireland's university teachers are proposing a motion to remove a compulsory religious course, which trainees are forced to take.

The proposed abolition is being put forward in a motion by the Irish Federation of University Teachers (IFUT) at their annual delegate conference in Dublin this weekend.

The motion calls for the abolition of compulsory religious courses for trainee teachers to be replaced with a common ethics course alongside optional denominational religious modules.

Currently, those training to become a primary school teacher in Ireland cannot do so without taking compulsory religious education modules, regardless of their own religious beliefs.

The conference is also to discuss the recent controversy surrounding grade inflation. The union's national executive has emphasised the importance of quality control systems and robust peer review.

(DW/BMcC)

Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

19 October 2018
Faith Strong Enough To Withstand Removal Of Blasphemy Law - FF
Religious faiths are strong enough to withstand the removal of Blasphemy law, Fianna Fáil Justice and Equality Spokesperson Jim O'Callaghan has said ahead of the upcoming referendum. Deputy O'Callaghan, said: "In a Republic it is important that we all recognise and respect the right of individuals to express their religious beliefs.
08 November 2016
17,500 Teachers Take Second Day Of Strike Action In Pay Dispute
Up to 17,500 teachers are due to take part if a second one-day strike as part of an ongoing pay dispute. The industrial action is part of the ASTI campaign calling for Equal Pay for Equal Work. The union is demanding the restoration of the common basic pay scale for all teachers.
23 April 2014
Junior Cycle Reforms Will Not Be Deferred - Quinn
There are no plans to defer the implementation of reforms to the Junior Cycle programme, despite opposition to the move by the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI).
16 May 2013
Teachers' Unions Invited To Revised Croke Park II Talks
Three teachers unions have been formally invited by the Labour Relations Commission to become involved in ongoing negotiations around the revised Croke Park II agreement.
17 January 2017
Role Of Religion In School Admissions To Be Reformed
The Minister for Education, Richard Bruton, has announced his intention to reform the role of religion in the school admissions system. Minister Bruton made the commitment in a speech at a seminar by campaign group Equate.