Student belatedly allowed opt out of Religion Class

[Niamh.]

See this is what I'm talking about Kaz and why I have such an issue with prayers and **** being forced upon us. My own daughter only this morning asked me what to do about Religion class. She's doing her Junior Cert this year which is similar to the GCSEs and religion is an exam subject and there's alot of information to learn for it. She's a really good student and hates to not do well but studying for religion is going to take valuable time away from her actual important subjects. I could go to the school and say I don't want her doing it but there probably would be a big issue with it and I don't think she wants to be in the spotlight or embarrassed like that (which is disgraceful in this day and age anyway) so i just told her not to waste a second on it and sit the lower level exam. I do feel like a bit of a hypocrite to not stand my ground and make sure she's not even doing the subject but ultimately my child has to come first and would die of embarrassment if I made a big deal of it, anyway......

Limerick school belatedly accepts father’s request for daughter to opt out of religion class

A father has "welcomed" a decision by his daughter's secondary school to allow her to opt out of religion class, but she must remain in the class under supervision while the subject is taught.

Paul Drury, originally from England but living in Limerick, told RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Monday morning, how Castletroy College had rejected his request last week, to allow his daughter, a first year student at the school, opt out of religious studies, despite her and her father being non-religious.

After the Minister for Education, Jan O'Sullivan, spoke to school's co-patrons, the Education and Training Board (ETB) about the matter, and after telling reporters that parents had a legal right to allow their child not study religion in school, Castletroy College board of management called a meeting to discuss the matter further.

Shortly after 8pm, the board of management - which is run by the ETB in joint patronage with the Bishop of Limerick, Dr Brendan Leahy - decided Mr Drury's daughter could opt out of religion class "with immediate effect".

However, the school board's decision comes with a caveat - the girl must remain in the religion class under supervision while the religion class is being taught to her fellow students.

Prior to the board's decision, a spokesperson for Dr Leahy, who is currently abroad, said: "The matter is to be decided collectively by the board of management."

According to sources, Mr Drury "welcomed" the board's decision.

Earlier in the day, local Anti Austerity Alliance Councillor Cian Prendiville, called on the school in question to "allow pupils full freedom of religion" by not requiring their pupils to study religion against their family's wishes.

"Schools should respect people of all religious beliefs, this includes respecting those of no religious beliefs and atheists," Cllr Prendiville added.

Moving to clarify the rights of parents earlier in the day, Minister O'Sullivan described parents as "primary educators" of their children, adding, "so it is their right to decide whether or not the child attends religious education".

"I hope parents do know their rights, and they should approach (a school) if they wish to have their child exempt from religion," the minister said.

"Normally that is done first through the principal, and if necessary through the board of management," minister O'Sullivan said.

Statement below by Casteltroy College regarding student allowed opt out of religion class at request of her father....

“Mr Drury requested that his daughter be allowed to opt out of the Religious Education course. Following discussion at a regular Board of Management meeting this evening, this request was agreed with immediate effect."

http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/limerick-school-belatedly-accepts-fathers-request-for-daughter-to-opt-out-of-religion-class-707072.html

[Cherie]

Was there no alternative school to send your daughter to Niamh?

[Kazanne]

It's so wrong for anything to be forced like that Niamh, if she doesn't want to do it ,she shouldn't have to, I haven't come across that , but my daughter hasn't reached that stage yet,thing is,I don't blame religion for that,I blame silly rules by silly people,we should all be able to believe what we want ,as I do,but I would never force anyone to follow those beliefs even my children,I understand why you didn't stand your ground,I am sure my daughter would have been the same, it's a shame , and it should not stand in the way of childrens education.

[Niamh.]

Was there no alternative school to send your daughter to Niamh?

Certainly not anywhere near me, tbh I don't even think there are any non denominational secondary schools in Cork, there's 5 Educate together primary schools in the whole of Cork and they're trying to get a secondary school open. There's only one secondary school in my village and obviously she wants to be there anyway near all her friends

[lostalex]

it's insane to make kids study religion.

kid's study Aesop's Fables in 2nd grade, and frankly those fables have more to offer spiritually than any of the major religions.

They might as well force people to study Disney movies.

[Niamh.]

it's insane to make kids study religion.

kid's study Aesop's Fables in 2nd grade, and frankly those fables have more to offer spiritually than any of the major religions.

They might as well force people to study Disney movies.

Yeah, If they want to keep it in the schools that badly fine but atleast make it an optional subject like Home Ec and Art etc don't force it on people

[Niamh.]

Certainly not anywhere near me, tbh I don't even think there are any non denominational secondary schools in Cork, there's 5 Educate together primary schools in the whole of Cork and they're trying to get a secondary school open. There's only one secondary school in my village and obviously she wants to be there anyway near all her friends

And to add to that I shouldn't have to find an alternative to school to the one in my own area, it isn't a private school, it's a state school that I pay for along with all the other Tax payers

[Cherie]

Certainly not anywhere near me, tbh I don't even think there are any non denominational secondary schools in Cork, there's 5 Educate together primary schools in the whole of Cork and they're trying to get a secondary school open. There's only one secondary school in my village and obviously she wants to be there anyway near all her friends

Yeah it's a tough one, but it can't have come as a shock that she would have to study it, you have to go with what she wants at the end of the day. Alot of kids don't want to study Irish either, or Maths or Shakespeare, that's school life, my kids went to non denominational secondary schools but they still studied religion to a degree up until GCSE when they could opt out maybe that is the way forward in Ireland

[Cherie]

And to add to that I shouldn't have to find an alternative to school to the one in my own area, it isn't a private school, it's a state school that I pay for along with all the other Tax payers

Yes but if you have strong beliefs shouldn't you do everything in your power to change the system rather than just going along with it?

[Niamh.]

Yes but if you have strong beliefs shouldn't you do everything in your power to change the system rather than just going along with it?

Not if it makes my childs life awkward no

[Niamh.]

Yeah it's a tough one, but it can't have come as a shock that she would have to study it, you have to go with what she wants at the end of the day. Alot of kids don't want to study Irish either, or Maths or Shakespeare, that's school life, my kids went to non denominational secondary schools but they still studied religion to a degree up until GCSE when they could opt out maybe that is the way forward in Ireland

No it didn't come as a shock that she would have to do religion but what did come as a shock was that religion is now an exam subject, that wasn't the case when I was in school

[Cherie]

Not if it makes my childs life awkward no

Right but why not lobby your TD for change for your grand kids?

[Niamh.]

Right but why not lobby your TD for change for your grand kids?

Yes I might do actually

[Cherie]

Yes I might do actually

Seriously if people continue to go along with the system it will never change, even an online petition would help open the debate

[MTVN]

Religious class is supposes to be about teaching kids to understand religions isn't it, not about teaching them to follow any particular one? I've always been non-religious but I enjoyed RE and thought it was useful because it does teach you about the real world and the society around you

[Cherie]

Religious class is supposes to be about teaching kids to understand religions isn't it, not about teaching them to follow any particular one? I've always been non-religious but I enjoyed RE and thought it was useful because it does teach you about the real world and the society around you

Both my kids enjoyed RE though neither took it as an option at GCSE, that said a lot of kids do, not sure if they still focus on Catholicism solely in Ireland :think:

[smudgie]

The school my kids went to had RE as one of the GCSE subjects but thankfully it wasn't about what is in the bible.
They learned about the different religions of the world, people and their belief systems.
The only subject our son failed in..he walked out of the exam as he was that bored.:shrug:

[Niamh.]

Religious class is supposes to be about teaching kids to understand religions isn't it, not about teaching them to follow any particular one? I've always been non-religious but I enjoyed RE and thought it was useful because it does teach you about the real world and the society around you

Well, in the vast majority of primary schools here it's only Catholicism "taught" as fact, in secondary schools it's an exam subject with the strongest push on Catholicism. If it were a proper unbiased subject it would be fine again as long as it's an option subject

[Crimson Dynamo]

Religions can be covered in history i a few lessons and should form no other part of a school education.

[Kizzy]

"Schools should respect people of all religious beliefs, this includes respecting those of no religious beliefs and atheists,"

This is true, had there been a non religious school in the area I'm sure she would've gone there.

[arista]

Religious class is supposes to be about teaching kids to understand religions isn't it, not about teaching them to follow any particular one? I've always been non-religious but I enjoyed RE and thought it was useful because it does teach you about the real world and the society around you


You Are Most Wise

[Vicky.]

The school my kids went to had RE as one of the GCSE subjects but thankfully it wasn't about what is in the bible.
They learned about the different religions of the world, people and their belief systems.
The only subject our son failed in..he walked out of the exam as he was that bored.:shrug:

Yeah RE for us covered a few religions.

[Crimson Dynamo]

RE at my school was a chance to muck about and have a laugh

[Livia]

How can you decide you don't believe in something if you don't know anything about it?

[Niamh.]

How can you decide you don't believe in something if you don't know anything about it?

Look it up in your own time if you're curious is my opinion

[Livia]

Look it up in your own time if you're curious is my opinion

With so much conflict going on in the world I think we have a duty to understand other religions and cultures. Also, lots of kids get no religious knowledge or debate, so could never make an informed choice of their own. If you want to follow your own religion, that's a different thing and should be done outside school hours, but general studying of religion is essential, I think.

[Cherie]

"Schools should respect people of all religious beliefs, this includes respecting those of no religious beliefs and atheists,"

This is true, had there been a non religious school in the area I'm sure she would've gone there.

If families relocate to another country a bit of research into how the schools operate wouldn't go amiss :shrug:

[Niamh.]

With so much conflict going on in the world I think we have a duty to understand other religions and cultures. Also, lots of kids get no religious knowledge or debate, so could never make an informed choice of their own. If you want to follow your own religion, that's a different thing and should be done outside school hours, but general studying of religion is essential, I think.

Essential why?

[Cherie]

Look it up in your own time if you're curious is my opinion

I think Ireland should adopt the approach Catholic primary schools have taken they follow the catholic ethos in school time and touch on different faiths and those of non faith to promote diversity, communion and confirmation lessons are taken outside of school hours, I really don't see why this couldn't work in Irish schools.

[Niamh.]

I think Ireland should adopt the approach Catholic primary schools have taken they follow the catholic ethos in school time and touch on different faiths and those of non faith to promote diversity, communion and confirmation lessons are taken outside of school hours, I really don't see why this couldn't work in Irish schools.

primary Schools in Britain you mean? Honestly I just don't believe Religion (any religion) has any place in the education system at all

[Kazanne]

Essential why?

Well it might just save you from having your head whipped off or blown up, seriously though , I think kids should be taught about religions ,at least then they can decide what path they want to follow, if they want to follow any

[Cherie]

primary Schools in Britain you mean? Honestly I just don't believe Religion (any religion) has any place in the education system at all

I disagree, while religion exists, it's important to know and learn about other faiths as it is part of understanding cultural differences and living together in peace, ignorance of other faiths causes more problems than it fixes


And yes I meant in the UK, auto correct on iPad is so annoying

[Niamh.]

Well it might just save you from having your head whipped off or blown up, seriously though , I think kids should be taught about religions ,at least then they can decide what path they want to follow.

I'm sure they'll see all that stuff on the news...

What do you mean decide what path to follow? Kids are in school to get an education

[Crimson Dynamo]

ask yourself this

if no parent breathed a word about religion to their children and there were no religious schools

what would quickly happen to religion?

[rubymoo]

Both my daughters are in secondary school, and both have to take the compulsory RE GCSE, i think it's good for them as it teaches them religions from around the world, as well as Buddhism (which is a philosophy not a religion), they're both enjoying it and the exam is based more on personal opinion than a right or wrong answer, which is what religion is....it's a personal opinion.

[Cherie]

ask yourself this

if no parent breathed a word about religion to their children and there were no religious schools

what would quickly happen to religion?

Missionary's (people not the position :hee:

[Cherie]

Both my daughters are in secondary school, and both have to take the compulsory RE GCSE, i think it's good for them as it teaches them religions from around the world, as well as Buddhism (which is a philosophy not a religion), they're both enjoying it and the exam is based more on personal opinion than a right or wrong answer, which is what religion is....it's a personal opinion.

Yeah it's considered part of social studies and is useful if you go on to do a degree in social care or social work

[Kazanne]

I'm sure they'll see all that stuff on the news...

What do you mean decide what path to follow? Kids are in school to get an education

I meant that people who knew the Quran in the hostage cases were freed, and their life spared but I was being a bit flippant :hehe: I mean kids could chose whether or what religion they were interested in or chose not to believe,if they knew what different religions entailed .

[rubymoo]

Yeah it's considered part of social studies and is useful if you go on to do a degree in social care or social work

I'm possibly one of the few who finds religion fascinating:laugh:*waits for the **** storm*

[Niamh.]

I meant that people who knew the Quran in the hostage cases were freed, and their life spared but I was being a bit flippant :hehe: I mean kids could chose whether or what religion they were interested in or chose not to believe,if they knew what different religions entailed .

If Religion was taught as a proper subject rather than an indoctrination exercise then how would people decide which one was right? I'm actually quite curious to know that actually lol

[Kazanne]

If Religion was taught as a proper subject rather than an indoctrination exercise then how would people decide which one was right? I'm actually quite curious to know that actually lol

They would just be taught what different religions believe and follow , some kids might say "What a load of tosh" and be an atheist /agnostic , some kids might be interested in a certain religion and want to follow it ,I always found Religious education interesting at school, but I know others didn't , like LT:hehe:

[Kazanne]

I'm possibly one of the few who finds religion fascinating:laugh:*waits for the **** storm*

Me too Rubymoo :wavey:

[Niamh.]

They would just be taught what different religions believe and follow , some kids might say "What a load of tosh" and be an atheist /agnostic , some kids might be interested in a certain religion and want to follow it ,I always found Religious education interesting at school, but I know others didn't , like LT:hehe:

Yes but how would they decide which religion was the correct one though?

[Kazanne]

Yes but how would they decide which religion was the correct one though?

Well whichever religion they chose would be the right one for them.

[Niamh.]

Well whichever religion they chose would be the right one for them.

So there's no one true religion then? So why have religions at all if any of them will do?

[Livia]

Essential why?

Because a lot of trouble in the world comes down to differences in religious thought. If you understand why there are differences you've got a better handle on the situation. I don't mean kids should be indoctrinated, but given the facts. And like I said before, if you don't know anything about a religion how can you come to the conclusion that you don't believe it?

[Kazanne]

So there's no one true religion then? So why have religions at all if any of them will do?

Well I obviously think Christianity is the true religion , but others believe their choice of religion is , that is why there is conflict, I don't however hold anything against anyone of a different religion or even those who don't believe .

[Kizzy]

Yeah it's considered part of social studies and is useful if you go on to do a degree in social care or social work

Then make sociology or politics compulsory subjects? :shrug:

[Kizzy]

Because a lot of trouble in the world comes down to differences in religious thought. If you understand why there are differences you've got a better handle on the situation. I don't mean kids should be indoctrinated, but given the facts. And like I said before, if you don't know anything about a religion how can you come to the conclusion that you don't believe it?

Seems to me the more religious people get the less tolerant they become of other religions. I like your sig btw, didn't know you were an Orwell fan.

[Drew.]

What a great subject RE was. 50 minutes of watching DVD's every lesson.

[kirklancaster]

Yeah, If they want to keep it in the schools that badly fine but atleast make it an optional subject like Home Ec and Art etc don't force it on people

I cannot do anything but agree with you Niamh, totally. It is an infuriating practice and needs stopping. I also agree that you should not HAVE to even contemplate sending your child to any other school which is more remote because of this ludicrous ruling.

I confronted my child's headmaster for FORCING him to learn about Islam and Muhammud in a C of E school at the same time he had prohibited Nativity plays at Christmas and the teaching of Christianity.

I do not shove my beliefs down my children's throats and I would be furious if some narrow-minded prat of a Head teacher tried to FORCE my children to accept HIS beliefs as part of their curriculum.

I feel like beating him/her up.

[JoshBB]

No subjects (barring perhaps English, Maths, Science) should be forced upon anyone.

[Ninastar]

No lessons should be 'forced' as such, but I also think religious studies (of all religions, not just one) is absolutely essential. We must learn the ways of most human life in order to understand how the world works.

[Cherie]

Then make sociology or politics compulsory subjects? :shrug:

What for A level? You can take both Sociology and RE at A level so the subject topics covered must be mutually exclusive

[Cherie]

I cannot do anything but agree with you Niamh, totally. It is an infuriating practice and needs stopping. I also agree that you should not HAVE to even contemplate sending your child to any other school which is more remote because of this ludicrous ruling.

I confronted my child's headmaster for FORCING him to learn about Islam and Muhammud in a C of E school at the same time he had prohibited Nativity plays at Christmas and the teaching of Christianity.

I do not shove my beliefs down my children's throats and I would be furious if some narrow-minded prat of a Head teacher tried to FORCE my children to accept HIS beliefs as part of their curriculum.

I feel like beating him/her up.


It's on the Irish curriculum Kirk, It's nothing to do with the Head

[Daniel-X]

I sort of see were you're coming from Niamh but RE in my school focuses a lot on sociological and political issues rather than just plain Cathlolic teaching. Nevertheless I do see why you're wondering is it an essential subject (particularly if your daughter does not attend a faith school)

[Jack_]

I'm always torn when it comes to this issue.

On the one hand I completely oppose the existence of faith schools, and any kind of religious practices such as communal praying, hymn singing etc, but when it comes to RE being a compulsory subject? Now that's a different matter.

As one of my Sixth Form teachers so beautifully put it when questioned as to why he also taught RE to lower school after the latest ever enjoyable class bout of religion-mocking, 'the more knowledge you have of something, the more equipped you are to pick apart its ridiculousness' (or words to that effect). And I think he's right. So long as RE is not biased, and is taught with the intention of making students more open minded, tolerant and qualified to make a decision on the merits of holding religious beliefs, I think it can only be a good thing.

And yes, sociology and politics should most definitely be compulsory subjects. From the age of 12.

[Jamie89]

No lessons should be 'forced' as such, but I also think religious studies (of all religions, not just one) is absolutely essential. We must learn the ways of most human life in order to understand how the world works.

I agree with this. Maybe not that it's essential but definitely that there can be benefit to it. I'm not religious at all but I chose to do religious studies for my GCSE's (because I hated history and geography and had to pick one lol) and I found it really interesting, from a cultural perspective, and learning different peoples different way of lives. Even my RS teacher wasn't religious, but it wasn't about trying to force anything on to us, or make us believe anything, it was about teaching us about the world and the impact that all the different religions have, which I think is useful because whether you like it or not, it's a hugely influential part of society.

[Kizzy]

What for A level? You can take both Sociology and RE at A level so the subject topics covered must be mutually exclusive

You suggested RE was useful for social science based professions, I fail to see why of the subjects needed RE is so important it has to be a compulsory subject.
Ireland is moving on in all areas, this is one where personally I feel it's still lagging.

[Cherie]

You suggested RE was useful for social science based professions, I fail to see why of the subjects needed RE is so important it has to be a compulsory subject.
Ireland is moving on in all areas, this is one where personally I feel it's still lagging.

I was talking about my experience of the UK system Kizzy and I made the point in response to Niamh saying RE should not be a subject in any school

[Kizzy]

I was responding to your comment to Rubymoo though.
Maybe the threads getting a bit confused between the prevalence of faith schools in Ireland and just plain old RE that all schools teach?

[lostalex]

Because a lot of trouble in the world comes down to differences in religious thought. If you understand why there are differences you've got a better handle on the situation. I don't mean kids should be indoctrinated, but given the facts. And like I said before, if you don't know anything about a religion how can you come to the conclusion that you don't believe it?

I agree religion is important for kids to learn in a HISTORICAL context, in a HISTORY class, like learning about the Spanish Inquisition, or the Salem Witch trials, The Crusades, The Holocaust, etc... but it should be in a HISTORICAL context explaining how religious bigotry led to horrific acts against humans, they should not be taught THE actual religion, they should just be taught about how people were brainwashed by religion and it caused more human suffering.

Religion needs to be taught as history, not as religion.

[kirklancaster]

It's on the Irish curriculum Kirk, It's nothing to do with the Head

Thanks Cherie - I think I was so incensed because of my own experiences with my own kid I didn't think.

I do agree with having R.E. as part of a curriculum for broadening a child's knowledge, but why the hell is a mandatory exam necessary if a child and its parents KNOW that such a subject will form no part of that child's future?

I also agree that precious time spent having to 'swot' for a subject that will be absolutely no use 'career-wise' to a child once they have left school, adversely impacts on the student's ability to study for subjects which will be of immense usefulness.

[Cherie]

Coming back to the original point, Niamh have you a note of what topics will be covered in the lesson, there may be some that your daughter will find quite interesting, I know you are a non believer but like believers we shouldn't push our beliefs onto our children, it's not uncommon for children to have different views to their parents, here for LT announcing one of his children has become a Vicar :D: AND look on the bright side it might be an easy A plus grade in the final exam

[Niamh.]

You suggested RE was useful for social science based professions, I fail to see why of the subjects needed RE is so important it has to be a compulsory subject.
Ireland is moving on in all areas, this is one where personally I feel it's still lagging.

Yeah for sure, this will be a tough one to break free from though as practically all the schools are catholic

[Niamh.]

Thanks Cherie - I think I was so incensed because of my own experiences with my own kid I didn't think.

I do agree with having R.E. as part of a curriculum for broadening a child's knowledge, but why the hell is a mandatory exam necessary if a child and its parents KNOW that such a subject will form no part of that child's future?

I also agree that precious time spent having to 'swot' for a subject that will be absolutely no use 'career-wise' to a child once they have left school, adversely impacts on the student's ability to study for subjects which will be of immense usefulness.

Yeah, that's really a big concern for me. My daughter told the teacher she would like to move to the lower level exam paper for it and the teacher is trying to convince her not to :/ She did say to her straight up though when the teacher said "oh but you're well able for the higher paper" that she doesn't want to take study time away from the subjects that are more important to her, the teacher still is pushing her not to move down.

[Niamh.]

Coming back to the original point, Niamh have you a note of what topics will be covered in the lesson, there may be some that your daughter will find quite interesting, I know you are a non believer but like believers we shouldn't push our beliefs onto our children, it's not uncommon for children to have different views to their parents, here for LT announcing one of his children has become a Vicar :D: AND look on the bright side it might be an easy A plus grade in the final exam

I did have a big chat with her yesterday and she said that they only really cover Christianity and Islam (Islam is to follow so far they've only really done Christianity) I understand that she'd probably do well in it but she wants to concentrate her study time on subjects like Maths etc that are actually going to help her to get the points she needs to get into University, do you know what I mean? Religion isn't going to count for her Leaving Cert

[Kizzy]

Only cover Christianity and Islam? Well unless they've changed the exam paper she won't pass anyway.
I still don't see how it it has ever warranted an exam to itself, why could it not be added to
PSHE and Citizenship?

[Niamh.]

Only cover Christianity and Islam? Well unless they've changed the exam paper she won't pass anyway.
I still don't see how it it has ever warranted an exam to itself, why could it not be added to
PSHE and Citizenship?

Why? Have you seen an Irish RE Junior Cert Exam Paper?

[Ammi]

...so around 10 years of Christianity studies and Islam still to come as a good old balance..:laugh:..I guess that she won't consider just not giving any time to it and whatever grades she gets will be fine/focusing on her other subjects...

[Niamh.]

...so around 10 years of Christianity studies and Islam still to come as a good old balance..:laugh:..I guess that she won't consider just not giving any time to it and whatever grades she gets will be fine/focusing on her other subjects...

Oh she will yeah, that's what I told her to do eventhough she's such a perfectionist that'll probably wreck her head a bit :laugh:

[Jessica.]

I did my junior cert exams in 2007, Religious Education was great, it's way less stressful than the other subjects, they are not shoving the word of God down your throat in that class. You discuss moral issues and decide for yourself if they are right or wrong. You learn about a world religion other than your own, which I think is healthy, expanding horizons and all that. I didn't do amazing on the exam or anything, I took it for what it was. The class was an experience, the exam wasn't going to decide my future. :shrug:

[Niamh.]

I did my junior cert exams in 2007, Religious Education was great, it's way less stressful than the other subjects, they are not shoving the word of God down your throat in that class. You discuss moral issues and decide for yourself if they are right or wrong. You learn about a world religion other than your own, which I think is healthy, expanding horizons and all that. I didn't do amazing on the exam or anything, I took it for what it was. The class was an experience, the exam wasn't going to decide my future. :shrug:

Which is why they shouldn't have an exam in it at all, it's a waste of time and energy that could be used on important subjects that are going to help your future

[Ammi]

..it's a really bad connection between the curriculum and UCAS or the Irish equivalent, and needs addressing really...if exams are forced and therefore going to use up a student's, timetable, time and preparations, then there should be the points attached to them...

[Kizzy]

Why? Have you seen an Irish RE Junior Cert Exam Paper?

Sorry Niamh I did sound a bit curt then, I haven't no, I would've thought religious studies would cover more than Christianity and Islam though.
To address the ucas issue I'd put RE in with general studies.

[Cherie]

..it's a really bad connection between the curriculum and UCAS or the Irish equivalent, and needs addressing really...if exams are forced and therefore going to use up a student's, timetable, time and preparations, then there should be the points attached to them...

Points in Junior Cert don't go towards Uni places though, it's only points in the Leaving Cert that do yet unless things have massively changed. I can't see that there will be much study attached to RE it's more writing your thoughts on a given subject and debating which one could argue compliments English writing skills, you need to move to the UK I think Niamh, is RE compulsory for the leaving cert?

[Niamh.]

Points in Junior Cert don't go towards Uni places though, it's only points in the Leaving Cert that do yet unless things have massively changed. I can't see that there will be much study attached to RE it's more writing your thoughts on a given subject and debating which one could argue compliments English writing skills, you need yeti move to the UK I think Niamh, is RE compulsory for the leaving cert?

Points in Junior Cert don't go toward Uni places but the grades you get in JC decide what classes and what Level you do in Leaving cert. RE is compulsory in my daughters school but I think it depends on the school itself to decide that. I'm not sure what the story is with Leaving cert exams in it, I must find out though

[Cherie]

Points in Junior Cert don't go toward Uni places but the grades you get in JC decide what classes and what Level you do in Leaving cert. RE is compulsory in my daughters school but I think it depends on the school itself to decide that. I'm not sure what the story is with Leaving cert exams in it, I must find out though

If it is on a school by school basis then you could bring it up at the next governors meeting? the problem with withdrawing from a lesson is that staff need to be found to cover the withdrawn students if the lesson were used as a study period, timetables and class sizes might preclude the student from joining another class going on at the same time.

[Niamh.]

If it is on a school by school basis then you could bring it up at the next governors meeting? the problem with withdrawing from a lesson is that staff need to be found to cover the withdrawn students if the lesson were used as a study period, timetables and class sizes might preclude the student from joining another class going on at the same time.

Yeah, I'm going to leave her drive on with it now for the JC anyhow, I've told her not to waste anytime studying for it, it's up to her whether she wants to drop to lower level or not though. She'll have transition year after the JC before she goes into 5th year so that'll give us plenty of time to figure out what to do about the LC

[Cherie]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-34921857


Here you go Niamh, this should be the incentive you need to spearhead change in your daughters school!