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 to support them in responding to parental requests for children to attend school without attending religious instruction.
The purpose of this guidance is to assist schools in putting in place clear, consistent and child-centred arrangements that facilitate the rights of both parents and students, while also taking into account the ethos of individual schools. 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 currently ongoing, that is involving detailed consideration of operational considerations. Particular attention is needed to ensure that the guidance is workable across varying school types and sizes. In finalising this work, my department needs to strike an appropriate balance between providing clear guidance and allowing schools the flexibility to consider the needs of all the members of their school communities.
The development of this guidance will be undertaken in a phased approach. A comprehensive consultation process will be undertaken with partners including school patrons, school management bodies, school leaders, parents, and students and is scheduled to commence this autumn. This work will be cognisant of primary and post-primary schools, different sizes of schools and existing good practices and arrangements that currently work well in schools.
As the work is currently ongoing, it would be premature to specify a timeline for publication. The department will continue to progress this important work and my focus is to ensure that the guidance is practical and appropriate for the wider school community.
