Education Equality says UK Supreme Court religious education ruling "has lessons for Ireland"

Human rights organisation Education Equality has welcomed the UK Supreme Court ruling that religious education at schools in the North of Ireland is unlawful.

In a statement issued today, Education Equality — which advocates against religious discrimination in State-funded schools — said the ruling "has lessons for Ireland."

The case was based on a legal challenge brought by a non-religious family in Belfast, who argued the religious education at their daughter's primary school and schools across the six counties excludes non-Christian perspectives.

Last week, the UK Supreme Court unanimously ruled the curriculum is unlawful, saying it is not "objective, critical, or pluralistic" and characterising it as "indoctrination."

The Supreme Court judge also said having the student opt out of religious education was "capable of placing an undue burden" on her parents.

David Graham, Education Equality communications officer, said the ruling has "stark implications for Irish primary schools" and for the National Convention on Education which begins later this month.

Graham said Education Equality considers the ruling "a resounding vindication" of its campaign for religious education in Ireland to be made non-compulsory and taught after core school hours.

"Change is now long overdue," Graham said.

"It is only a matter of time before an Irish family is forced before the courts to assert their human and constitutional rights. However, it doesn’t have to be this way. The Oireachtas can legislate to uphold children’s human rights to freedom of religion and belief by simply moving religious faith formation outside the school day on an opt-in basis.

"Unless the Government takes urgent action, Irish education faces its own day of reckoning soon – whether in the Irish Supreme Court or in the European Court of Human Rights."

According to data from the Department of Education in 2023, about 88% of Ireland's mainstream primary schools have a Catholic ethos while 5.5% have a multi-denominational ethos.

In September, Education Equality accused then-Minister for Education Helen McEntee of misleading the Irish public on children who opt out of religious instruction.

McEntee had said there was "a very clear structure set out" for alternative options for children to wish to opt out of religious education.

Education Equality rebutted the claim, arguing the Department of Education has left such alternative options as a matter for individual schools.

Earlier this month, McEntee published the Schools Reconfiguration for Diversity, a plan aiming to increase the number of multi-denominational schools.

The Schools Reconfiguration for Diversity cited a commitment in the Programme for Government to "increase choice for parents by ensuring that families can access both multi/non-denominational and faith-based education."