Irish Human Rights Commission recommends change to the Education Act 1998 to protect the rights of minorities. The Irish Human Rights Commission in their Submission to the UN Human Rights Committee have recommended that Section 15 of the Education Act 1998 be amended to provide for modifications to the integrated curriculum to ensure that the rights of minority faith or non-faith children are also recognised therein. The clear definition of terms, such as “denominational”, “multi denominational”, “inter denominational”, “non denominational” or “other” school, in primary legislation, Ministerial regulations or be determined by reference to the recognition of such schools under the Education Act 1988; Specifically, that section 15 of the Education Act 1998 be amended to provide for modifications to the integrated curriculum to ensure that the rights of minority faith or non-faith children are also recognised therein. The IHRC recommended here the State take sufficient care that information and knowledge included in the curriculum is conveyed in an objective, critical and pluralistic manner with the aim of enabling pupils to develop a critical mind with regard to religion in a calm atmosphere which is free of any misplaced proselytism; That the Minister for Education and Skills codify and review the Rules for National Schools, to ensure that the human rights standards set out in its report are upheld. This could be further reviewed in the future in the context of increased diversity in school provision; Where diverse provision of education does not exist in a school’s catchment area, that consideration be given to move formal religion classes to the start or end of the school day. While not ideal in terms of separating children, it was stated that this might provide greater accommodation to parents of minority faith or non-faith children seeking exemption. If sufficient numbers of students sought the exemption, provision could be made for a parallel class in ethics and philosophy, or other minority religions as demand dictates at the same time; That the State seek to ensure that all patrons, in schools funded by the State, are sensitive to the impact that the manifestation of religious beliefs in the school may have on children of other faith or non-faith backgrounds. In this regard the report recommended that those children should never experience exclusion or segregation in the school or in any way be undermined in their own faith or other philosophical convictions. Guidelines and examples of good practice, together with the allocation of necessary resources to implement such good practice should be developed in tandem with the enhanced complaints mechanism being recommended to Government. The IHRC recommended that for their part, those denominational schools who have other faith or non-faith children as pupils should take steps to guard against any inadvertent indoctrination or proselytism of those children by teachers; That the State should continue to seek to promote religious harmony and understanding between groups, including those of a secular viewpoint. Further, the report recommended that it should ensure that indoctrination and proselytism does not take place in State funded schools, possibly through reviewing the remit of Departmental Inspectors to take account of issues concerning religion and education; That there be an expanded Ombudsman body with a remit to consider complaints concerning exemption procedures or any unwanted exposure to indoctrination or proselytism. Further, the report recommended that the remit of Schools Inspectors should include inspection of how religion classes are conducted in schools, regard being had to the effectiveness of exemption procedure being put in place by schools further to the recommendations in this report; That in ensuring the rights of school children in accordance with maturity, the report recommended that the views of most second-level students and arguably some older primary school students in relation to the exemption procedures or any perceived encroachment on their personal religious or philosophical convictions, be taken into consideration, in addition to the views of their parents; That the education of teachers not include compulsory content that conflicts with the rights of such teachers. The report recommended that any improper encroachment on the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion of teachers should thus be avoided; That there be an appropriate amendment to the Employment Equality Acts 1998-2012 to ensure respect for the private life of teachers where their private life does not improperly encroach on the rights and freedoms of others. teachdontpreach.ie/2014/07/irish-human-rights-commission-recommends-change-to-the-education-act-1998-to-protect-the-rights-of-minorities/
Posted on: Thu, 03 Jul 2014 07:34:46 +0000
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