CV NEWS FEED // Many teachers in Ireland want to stop the country’s education system from requiring the national Catholic religious certificate at schools that are under Catholic patronage.
To interview for teaching positions at Catholic heritage primary schools in Ireland, candidates must complete the Certificate program that is approved by the England and Wales Bishops’ Conference or a “supplementary module on Religious Education in Ireland,” the Catholic Education Partnership’s website said.
Nearly 90% of primary schools are under Catholic patronage, according to an April 3 report from The Irish Times. “A large majority” at the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation annual Congress in Derry passed a motion to repeal obligatory religious certification, the article said.
In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation announced that the Congress had passed a motion on “diversity in teaching/school patronage.”
The Irish National Teachers’ Organisation instructed union delegates to survey primary school teachers regarding what the future of religious education in the country should be, according to The Irish Times. A task force will carry out the survey and report back in the next year, the article said.
The Irish National Teachers’ Organisation’s April 5 news release regarding the Congress does not specifically mention the religious certificate controversy. According to the release, highlights of the Congress included that Carmel Browne, the incoming president of the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation, pledged to work on creating inclusive school environments and supporting teachers who work with children with additional needs and that Owen Reidy, the general secretary of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, “rallied members to confront the rise of extremism in Irish society.”
“Congress 2024 ended with a clear message: investment in education and improved working conditions for teachers are crucial for a thriving education system,” the release stated. “INTO remains committed to advocating for its members and for a better future for all students.”
