Time to secularise our primary school system.

[The Underdog]

Why should schools, almost alone amongst all employers, be allowed to discriminate against certain classes of persons? Why should the equality legislation not apply to them? Mere bigotry and superstition can surely not be sufficient grounds to allow someone to be discriminated against.

Of course not. It shouldn’t. Professionalism is what matters.

A teacher should be comfortable promoting a particular ethos of school, whether it is atheism, theism, or non denominational. If they are a professional then their own beliefs should not come into it.

It is the bigotry of anti-theists and anti-atheists that are the real obstacle to obtaining a solution to all of this.

[charley]

would there be an issue with extra days teachers in secular schools will have to work. as christmas and easter are christian holidays and the other holy days during the year.it would be hypocritical for these schools to close at these times,

[Cato]

Of course not. It shouldn’t. Professionalism is what matters.

A teacher should be comfortable promoting a particular ethos of school, whether it is atheism, theism, or non denominational. If they are a professional then their own beliefs should not come into it.

It is anti-theists and anti-atheists that are the real obstacle to obtaining a solution to all of this.

Why not simply be comfortable in competently teaching children? Why indoctrinate children at all?

For the record, I would be against 'atheist schools as well.

[imokyrok]

would there be an issue with extra days teachers in secular schools will have to work. as christmas and easter are christian holidays and the other holy days during the year.it would be hypocritical for these schools to close at these times,

I'm sure you know that schools have set holidays and discretionary days. The set holidays coincide with easter and xmas and summer. The catholic schools take their discretionary days as holy days and the others tend to add them to bank holiday weekends and midterm breaks.

[goatstoe]

Are any of the political parties making an issue of this?

They should be there's votes in it. In my opinion you'd get a high voting head count from parents of primary school going children. I can tell you from a personal viewpoint I am not particularly anti-religous, I just want the best education possible for my kids. It is my contention that an inordinate amount of primary school kids valuable time is taken up with religous doctrine and preparation for sacrements. These religous activities can be catered for but should be in an extra curricular setting. There's political hay to be made for any party on this issue.

[charley]

there is no votes for mainstream parties in this,the loss of votes from the older generation would not be compensated from the younger generation

[The Underdog]

Why not simply be comfortable in competently teaching children? Why indoctrinate children at all? For the record, I would be against 'atheist schools as well.

Well I suppose you could close down and ban all religious schools and open up only non denominational schools, but I imagine that could be seen as being bigoted.

[The Underdog]

They should be there's votes in it. In my opinion you'd get a high voting head count from parents of primary school going children. I can tell you from a personal viewpoint I am not particularly anti-religous, I just want the best education possible for my kids. It is my contention that an inordinate amount of primary school kids valuable time is taken up with religous doctrine and preparation for sacrements. These religous activities can be catered for but should be in an extra curricular setting. There's political hay to be made for any party on this issue.

Instead of complaining what religious schools spend their time teaching, the real issue should be that we urgently require more non-denominational schools.

[White Horse]

It is good that you are happy, and that the state provides you with a local school which meets your needs.
Not every citizen of this state is so well treated.

Suggesting to a citizen of this country who does not want his/her child educated in the catholic ethos that s/he 'can send his/her child to a non-religious school if they wish.is rather impractical and very unfair. Multi-denominational and non-denominational schools are available to very few people in this country.

Surely you would want other people to enjoy the same rights and services as you do.

A more practical suggestion would be that all state schools be non-denominational and that those who want their children taught religion do it themselves or send their children to religion classes provided by their own particular religion.

There are many non Catholic schools and nothing to stop like minded parents setting up new ones.

I don't seek to deprive parents of the education they wish for their child. I respect choice and tolerance.

You, on the other hand, want to dictate the type of education that is available to children.

[wombat]

Instead of complaining what religious schools spend their time teaching, the real issue should be that we urgently require more non-denominational schools.

Be careful what you wish for. The religious gave up control of the hospitals, we got the HSE. Experience elsewhere is that a large minority will choose catholic schools, even where this involves paying a fee. People with such a commitment become more involved in managing the schools, leading to the schools being perceived as giving a better education, which in turn becomes a reality.