I propose to take Questions Nos. 596 to 598, inclusive, together.
The provisions of Section 30(2) (e) of the Education Act 1998 provide that a school shall not require a student to attend instruction in any subject which is contrary to the conscience of the parent / guardian of the student or in the case of a student who has reached the age of 18 years, the student.?
Under the provisions of the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018, all schools have admissions policies, which have been approved by the patron and published on the school's website.
The act requires where schools provide religious instruction that they must set out in their admission policies the school’s arrangements for students, where the parent or in the case of a student who has reached the age of 18 years, the student, has requested that the student attend the school without attending religious instruction in the school.
It is expected that these rights will be upheld by schools on foot of a parental request. Parents are recognised as the primary educators of their children and are valued partners in the education process.
Schools are encouraged to engage openly with parents who have concerns about aspects of the curriculum. Parents who wish their child to not attend elements of SPHE/RSE are advised to meet with their child’s teacher and/or school principal to discuss their concerns.
The manner in which any school ensures that the right to not attend classes is upheld, is a matter for the school concerned. Each individual school must determine the particular arrangements which are most appropriate in its individual circumstances, having regard to local issues such as available space, supervision requirements and how the school concerned organises classes etc.
In relation to religious instruction and as set out in the Education Plan 2025, the Department is committed to developing best practice guidance for schools in relation to arrangements to facilitate parental requests for children to attend school without attending religious instruction. This guidance is intended to improve consistency across schools and to make expectations clearer for all stakeholders. These arrangements when completed can be used by schools to facilitate all similar requests regardless of the subject. This work is ongoing.
