A national education body has proposed de-emphasizing the amount of time Irish primary schools spend per week on religious education or “faith formation.” The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment may also recommend adding a compulsory class on world religions and ethics.
A recent survey of grade school principals showed eight of 10 feel they’re required to spend too much time teaching faith formation, reported the Irish Times. Ninety percent said that subjects like math, English and physical education should be emphasized instead.
Critics say the proposal would violate the rights of religious primary schools by forcing them to de-prioritize religious education in favor of secular subjects. Most religious primary schools are Catholic.
Final proposals will be released later this year.
