The Campaign To Separate Church & State
Projected Educational Reforms
An Alternative to Denominational Schools
The Irish State must accept responsibility for providing inclusive, undenominational schools for those of its citizens who require that form of education. In pursuance of this end the Minister for Education should establish a Register of School Choice to ascertain the preferences of parents. The undenominational character of publicly owned second level schools should be scrupulously upheld.
Minority Rights
Denominational primary schools should be required by law to live up to their traditional title of 'National Schools' - schools for all the nation - by facilitating the conscience rights of children and teachers holding minority beliefs.
An Opt Out Clause
The management of the National Schools should be organised in such a way that the right of teachers and pupils to opt out of religious instruction is available as a real option. The requirement that religious instruction must permeate the primary curriculum, makes the opt-out clause inoperable; it should be removed from the Teachers Handbook and other official documents.
No Religious Discrimination
No Irish citizen should be excluded from the colleges of teacher education because of their religious/philosophical beliefs. No applicants for teaching posts in Irish schools should be rejected because of their religious/philosophical beliefs. No children should be refused admission to Irish schools because of the beliefs of their families. These are all questions of basic human rights. It is reasonable that teachers should be expected to respect the ethos of the schools they work in but they should not be forced to conform to a religious or lifestyle standard ordained by the religious authorities.
No State Endowment of Religion
The relationship between the Irish State and the two main Churches, especially in educational matters, should conform with Article 44.2.2 of the Constitution which bans State endowment of religion. In particular, the payment of public salaries to chaplains in various types of second level public school, for the performance of religious duties, should be ended.
No Religious Tests for University Staff
The provision of the 1908 University Act, which bans the imposition of religious tests for staff recruitment purposes in the universities, should be retained.
An Education Ombudsman
An Ombudsman should be appointed to investigate grievances experienced by parents, pupils or teachers, particularly in the area of human rights, in education. The work of the Education Ombudsman should include the enforcement of the principles referred to in this Charter.
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