Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

Traditionally, primary schools have played a significant role in the faith formation of their pupils and this is still the case. The colleges of education, in recognition of this reality, aim to prepare student teachers to be able to mediate religious education curricula.

The content of the bachelor of education programme is currently a matter for the individual colleges of education. The bachelor of education courses provided by the colleges of education include compulsory modules on religious education. The content of these courses varies between the different institutions and, in general, has a strong focus on methodology. They aim to ensure that student teachers understand the spiritual and religious development of the primary school child in a general sense and that they are aware of the content and methodologies of the programmes developed by the Catholic church, the board of education of the general synod of the Church of Ireland and Educate Together.

They also aim to ensure that the student teachers are enabled to plan a religious education programme which can be applied in schools of varying traditions and ethos. In recent years, my Department has funded a pilot project which involved representatives from Educate Together and the colleges working together to develop material on the ethical education programme Learn Together for inclusion in the colleges' modules. Currently, there is no separate qualification for primary teaching available in the State which does not include religious education.

Teaching practice is also an essential part of the learning and assessment process for bachelor of education students. On teaching practice, students generally teach all primary school subjects which include, for example, in the case of denominational primary schools, religious education, and in Educate Together schools, the ethical education programme Learn Together.

In general, the colleges of education accept students of all faiths and none on the bachelor of education programme and entry is based on points achieved in the leaving certificate examination. On foot of the Deputy's question, my Department asked the colleges of education whether a student has ever objected on grounds of religious belief or non-belief or other grounds of conscience to participating in faith formation and if so, what steps had been, or would be, taken. The responses received from the colleges so far have indicated that this has not arisen to date. In response, some of the colleges pointed out that course content is constantly reviewed and updated to respond to the changing educational landscape and the needs of Irish society generally.

Some of the colleges of education also offer an optional certificate in religion programme which is separate from the bachelor of education and is recognised by the Irish Catholic hierarchy as appropriate preparation for teachers to teach religious education in primary schools in that sector. This is required as a condition of employment in particular schools. The Teaching Council, which is responsible for the maintenance of standards in teaching and registering teachers, does not require a separate qualification in religious studies for registration as a primary school teacher. The situation with the Church of Ireland College of Education is somewhat different as its remit is to provide teachers for the Protestant primary school sector and it may reserve places on the bachelor of education for students from Protestant backgrounds.

The Teaching Council, which has statutory responsibility for the review and accreditation of programmes of initial teacher education, has recently initiated reviews of a range of issues in the area.

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