Atheist Ireland promotes our campaign for secular education under what we call the Schools Equality PACT:
P = PATRONAGE
Children have a right to attend inclusive public schools
State-funded schools should have an inclusive public ethos, to respect everyone equally under Articles 42.1 and 42.3.1 of the Constitution. Moral education should be separate from religion, as per Article 42.3.2. The State should not cede control of education to private patrons. Private ethos schools should be an optional extra.
A = ACCESS
Children have an equal right to attend their local public school
Children should have equal access to their local State-funded school, whatever their religion. The Admission to Schools Bill outlawed some discrimination, but it reinforces discrimination against atheist and minority faith families. Section 7.3(c) of the Equal Status Act should be deleted to prevent all religious discrimination.
C = CURRICULUM
Children have a right to an objective pluralist education
Children should be taught the State curriculum, including teaching about religions and beliefs, in an objective, critical and pluralistic manner, as per the European Convention on Human Rights. Faith formation should be outside the school day. Section 15.2(b) of the Education Act, and the curriculum, should be amended.
T = TEACHING
Teachers have an equal right to work in state-funded schools
Children should be taught by the best teachers, and teachers should have equal access, based on merit, to jobs in State-funded schools. Section 37 of the Employment Equality Act allows schools to discriminate against teachers on the ground of religion. It should be amended to prevent all religious discrimination against teachers.