Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 181: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if the State funded Bachelor of Education Programme for primary teachers requires student teachers to take courses in religion or religious education and to teach religion on teaching practice; the provision made for student teachers who belong to a denomination which is not Christian, that is Muslim or Jewish, or who are humanists or atheists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46489/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The Colleges of Education accept students of all faiths and none on the Bachelor of Education programmes. Places on the programme are allocated, in the main, through the CAO system. While actual course content varies from college to college, the B.Ed prepares students to teach in a range of school settings and this is reflected in teaching practice placements and in the content of the religious education modules, which aim to equip students to teach religious education in accordance with the wishes of the particular school in which they are employed.

Given the largely denominational nature of primary school sector, traditionally Religious Education methodology's have been included in the content of the B.Ed. As with all elements of the B.Ed programme this area evolves and is reviewed in accordance with the changing educational landscape. The Colleges work with the various school patron bodies and Religious Education course content tends to include approaches and methodology's relevant to diversity and all major world religions. For example, a number of the Colleges of Education are currently working collaboratively with Educate Together to better equip student teachers to teach in that setting.

The Colleges may also provide an optional and separate Certificate Course in Religious Studies, which is a qualification for teaching religion in catholic primary schools. Responses received from some the Colleges in relation to the question of provision being made for student teachers who belong to a denomination which is not Christian have indicated that this has not arisen to date.

The situation in 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 B.Ed for students from Protestant backgrounds. In CICE, Religious Education is provided as a core subject in the B.Ed and students are expected to teach Religious Education on teaching practice unless they are placed in a non-Protestant school and that school requests that they be excused from teaching Religious Education. As part of the B.Ed's Religious Education programme students are provided with lectures in comparative religions, and also have access to a programme of lectures on the Educate Together sector. Students are also required to study education and equality legislation, which includes an exploration of the rights of those of minority faith (including those of personal beliefs) in denominational schools.