Minister drops plan to give churches a veto on teachers

THE Minister for Education has dropped controversial plans to give churches power to veto the appointment of teachers on grounds of religion in 3,700 schools under their control.

Ms Breathnach has removed a provision from forthcoming legislation which would have given church owners of schools a legal entitlement not to employ a teacher of a different religion if they believed this would adversely affect the ethos of their school.

The proposal had been heavily criticised by teachers and other groups who claimed it would mean non Catholic teachers would find it impossible to find jobs. All but 14 of the 3,200 primary schools and 500 out of 800 second level schools are run by the churches.

However, schools and other educational institutions are to be exempted from another piece of legislation which will prohibit discrimination on religious grounds in other areas. The Minister for Equality and Law Reform, Mr Taylor, is due to bring proposals to Cabinet tomorrow to outlaw discrimination in work on grounds of sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, race, colour, nationality or membership of the travelling community.

However, schools and institutions such as teacher training colleges will be exempted. This is because of legal advice that as private institutions, they have a constitutional right to insist that teachers adhere to their religion.

The provision will not affect teachers already working in schools and colleges.

Teacher unions have described proposals to exempt schools from the employment equality legislation as "unacceptable". "It reinforces sectarianism and accommodates intolerance," said the general secretary of the Irish National Teachers' Organisation, Senator Joe O'Toole.

"On the one hand, teachers are telling children that we're all part of the same nation, but then we're saying no one of a different religion will ever teach you. It's do as I do, but don't do as I say."

The general secretary of the Association of Secondary Teachers, Ireland, Mr Charlie Lennon, said the measure was unnecessary.

Mr Taylor's proposals, which are being tabled in the form of a memorandum to Cabinet, may yet be delayed by concerns in Government departments and other areas about their effects. However, if Cabinet approval is obtained, detailed legislation will be published next month.

Schools and teacher training colleges are already exempted from equal status legislation. which deals with non-employment areas such as the admission of students.