A SURVEY on teachers' attitudes to religious education has been circulated by the INTO to 1,500 of its members. Primary teachers are being asked what they think of the amount of time spent in schools preparing for religious ceremonies or sacraments.

Their opinion is also being sought on whether primary teachers should be obliged to give religious instruction or education. The questionnaire asks whether they do so willingly.

If their preference is not to teach religious education and they have not informed the school authorities of this preference, the survey offers nine options as to why this might be so; eight of the options start with the word "fear" - e.g., fear of a hostile reaction from the board of management, fear of isolation. The ninth option is "lack of knowledge concerning legal and contractual obligations in this area".