Roman Catholic pupils make up almost a quarter of students at Protestant primary schools, according to new research.

The Our School Community questionnaire revealed Protestant individuals make up just over a third (38 per cent) of youngsters, with others ranging from a variety of different religious backgrounds.

It was found that 20 per cent come from unspecified Christian families, 7.4 per cent have no religion and 5.6 per cent came from less mainstream Protestant groups such as Pentecostalists.

The reason for such diversity is believed to be due to Protestant schools having a broad Christian-based religious education curriculum, which allows them to be inclusive.

Secretary of the Church of Ireland Secondary Education Committee Dr Ken Fennelly said: "Teaching of faith formation is recognised to lie with the parish rather than with the school."

The research follows a recent report by the BBC that revealed concerns have been raised by clergymen in County Donegal over the prospect of 27 Protestant schools being forced to close if government plans to merge institutions are realised.

Written by Donal Walsh

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