Looking at the article titled “Is faith a requisite for securing a primary teaching job? Or is it mere hearsay?” (Education, October 8th), one could feel as though they’ve been transported back to the conservatism of 1950s Ireland; such a grim reflection on our society. We should commend these courageous educators who actively defy the typical Irish custom of keeping one’s nose to the grindstone, allowing inappropriate actions to stay hidden. The question arises, when will we take heed from these instances?
In the Emerald Isle, a staggering number of state-funded schools, approximately 88 per cent, are under the jurisdiction of Catholic patrons. A peculiar phenomenon in this structure is that religious prejudice against educators does not qualify as discrimination. Such a notion fosters a harmful and unethical environment filled with deceit and double standards. Teachers feel obliged to compromise their principled beliefs for the necessities of job security and employment. Considering the rising demand for teachers, would potential educators be deterred by this compulsory participation in this oppressive and revolting farce?
When it comes to “religious education”, it’s clear that any form of demagoguery, religious or not, should be condemned. Why is there such insistence on manipulating easily susceptible young minds during schooling hours, leaving them with no choice but to attend? What is the need to blend education and indoctrination?
Maybe these patrons are fully aware that their influence would wane if such tactics are not employed and the attempt to indoctrinate people was postponed until adulthood. The number of self-proclaimed “faithful” would likely plummet in such circumstances.
The issue of unsolicited religious instruction aimed at children, a problem that the Department of Education is fully aware, is significantly more unethical. Schools throughout Ireland routinely infringe upon the fundamental constitutional right of a child to refuse religious education in public schools. Even the original Irish national school system, established in 1831, strictly prohibited such practices, stating, “any hint of proselytism” must be “eliminated”.
The 1831 edict showed more progressiveness and compatibility with a modern liberal democracy than the current system in 2024.
ROB SADLIER,
From Rathfarnham,
Dublin 16.
The primary obstacle to securing employment in a Catholic primary school in the larger Dublin area is not religion, but property rental costs.
Expensive rent and home prices in the greater Dublin area have driven many highly qualified young teachers, who would otherwise love to work in Catholic schools, to migrate to Australia or Dubai.
This problem extends beyond religion, impacting all schools regardless of whether they mandate a religious certification. It is the high rent that is causing recruitment difficulties, not religious requirements.
Moreover, the resource crisis is much more important than the religious debate in Irish education. The Catholic Primary Schools Management Association has expressed its gratitude towards the Minister for Education and her team for their hard-fought victory to increase the capitation to €224 per student, accompanied by an additional cost of living payment of €35.80 per student before Christmas.
However, these increases still fall short of the €270 per student required to adjust to the 35% inflation rate that schools have faced in recent years.
Significant strides have been made towards a sustainable level of funding for schools, but as the number of calls from financially struggling schools confirm, we are not there yet.
SEAMUS MULCONRY,
General Secretary,
Catholic Primary Schools Management Association,
From Maynooth,
Co Kildare.