30/06/2008

Parents Want Schools State Managed

A recent survey has found three quarters of parents want primary schools to be managed by the State, pointing to the growing secularisation in Ireland.

The Red C study, commissioned by the Irish Primary Principal's Network, found 72% of parents would prefer the state run schools, with equal status afforded to all religions.

It also found that six out of 10 parents would prefer some of the two and a half hours per week currently spent on religion be given to other subjects, in particular to physical and health education.

The clear majority in favour of state run schools and equal opportunity for all religions will be seen as ringing endorsement for the recently announced policy by Minister for Education, Batt O'Keeffe, to pilot a new model of multi-faith community national schools in Dublin next September.

(DW)


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