The former principal of an Ennis secondary school says it wouldn’t be practical to hold religion classes outside of school hours to accommodate those who don’t want to participate.
It comes as an Oireachtas Committee has been told that students’ right not to attend religion classes are being ignored by schools.
Self-described democratic advocacy group for atheism, reason, and ethical secularism, Atheist Ireland, has this week appeared before the Oireachtas Committee on Public Petitions and the Ombudsmen.
The group is alleging that schools are ignoring the right of students in schools not to be present in religion classes, arguing they “make children from nonreligious and minority faith families stay” in such classes.
This is despite Article 44.2.4 of the constitution giving them the right to be excused.
Ennistymon native, member of Midwest Humanists and former board member of the National Parents Council, Robert Bennett, wants religious education to take place before or after official school hours.
Former principal of St Flannan’s College, Father Ignatius McCormack, says this would set a precedent that would be difficult to commit to.
Listen to the full interview here
