Speaking at the annual conference of the Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) this morning, Minister for Edeucation Ruairi Quinn has suggested more flexible timetabling for religious education in Primary Schools which would allow students opting out of religion classes to participate in another class. The Minister acknowledged that this arrangement would work better in larger schools.

Another option referred to by the Minister “would be to have faith formation at the start or end of a school day. Issues would still remain around school transport, supervision of children who are not participating, and so on.”

The Minister also expressed his disappointment at the slow pace of reform in terms of school patronage. He said “It is regrettable that, two years after the publication of the Forum report, we have yet to see such exemplars furnished by the Catholic Church – the main Patron of primary schools in this country. “

View the full text of the Minister's speech at the INTO Conference

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