Less religious education, more maths?

Sir, – I was deeply shocked at Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn’s suggestion, at the Irish Primary Principals’ Network meeting, that if more time was needed on the curriculum for literacy and numeracy, then the teacher might look at taking that time from religious education.

First, does the Minister think that in learning religious education, children are not learning literacy and numeracy at the same time? Second, is he seriously suggesting that the response to over crowding in the curriculum is for one subject to cannibalise another?

However, more worrying, is that the Minister’s remarks deliberately undermine the place of a curriculum subject.

Irrespective of his own personal desire, the Primary School Curriculum Introduction (1999) states that the curriculum is divided into seven areas, one of these is religious education. It is not an optional subject. The Introduction (a State document) gives a number of reasons for the inclusion. It says that in seeking to develop the full potential of the child, the curriculum takes into account the child’s affective, aesthetic, spiritual, moral and religious needs. It goes on to say: “The spiritual dimension is a fundamental aspect of individual experience, and its religious and cultural expression is an inextricable part of Irish culture and history. Religious education specifically enables the child to develop spiritual and moral values and to come to a knowledge of God” (58). It is up to each patron to write a programme that will best give expression to this aim.

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The State requires the teaching of religious education in our schools. It is of serious concern when the Minister of Education advocates the undermining of one subject by another, particularly in an integrated curriculum. Such a suggestion by the Minister raises all sorts of questions as to his motive for the introduction of a new subject/programme (in an already overcrowded curriculum) into primary schools entitled “Education about Religions and Beliefs and Ethics” (ERB and Ethics).

Is it the case that the Minister’s own opinions are now driving the education agenda, rather than the carefully thought-out policies built on the bedrock of expert professional consensus? – Yours, etc,

Dr DANIEL O’CONNELL,

Faculty of Education,

Mary Immaculate College,

Limerick.

Sir, – Bill Bailey (January 28th), rightly highlights the systemic lack of integrity and honesty amongst the elite of the country. However, were one to reflect on the education received by the past and current generations of charlatans, one might hold off on recommending a greater influence by the religious orders.

The analysis of the conduct of various orders by Ryan, Murphy and others would show that the schooling in hypocrisy, secrecy and the protection of vested interests has been more than effective.

Or is there a spot of mental reservation afoot? – Yours, etc,

MARK McGRAIL,

Highland Avenue,

Cabinteely, Dublin 18.