Sir, – I read the letters from Education Equality and Atheist Ireland regarding faith formation with a degree of incredulity (December 30th). “Religious indoctrination” is a very harsh description of the patron’s programme.
I would be amazed if religion is taught in any primary classroom in the State for 2½ hours per week. Even squeezing in one hour’s instruction would be a good week!
No child in my classroom is indoctrinated. Those who opt out of religious instruction happily occupy their time with other educational activities. There are children of many different faiths, and none, in our school and all children are shown dignity and respect when it comes to their individual beliefs.
It amazes me how people view faith formation as some kind of evil monster. At the end of the day, it is about showing love and respect to each other. I hardly call that “code for religious indoctrination”.
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As for allowing children to leave the classroom during religion lessons, may I ask who will supervise these children? Perhaps parents are willing to volunteer their own time to supervise.
As it is, schools cannot source enough qualified teachers to teach the basic curriculum at both primary and second level. – Yours, etc,
DEE DELANY,
Raheny,
Dublin 5.