First State curriculum on beliefs is a game-changer

ANY renegotiation of boundaries between church and State is contentious. For the devout, trading a system that has served them well is tantamount to a surrender. For others, having to conform to something in which they do not believe is also unacceptable. For generations, religion, and the Catholic Church in particular, were central to life in Ireland.

The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment has set out its consultation paper for children in all our 3,000 primary schools. Faith-based schools may well regard its proposals as a step too far. To be compelled to teach about world religions, encroaching on time available for instruction in the doctrine of their ethos, will brook resistance. Traditionally, it has been the preserve of the patron – still the Catholic Church in 90pc of cases – to make such decisions. There has been much talk of ceding control and of divestment, but the status quo has been slow to shift.

Recent years have been difficult for the Church. Many felt betrayed by a series of scandals and cover-ups. Such factors have resulted in a rebalancing of relationships. Tension has grown between the secular and the religious. Arguments are well rehearsed: An alternative to bad religion is not no religion, but better religion. Secularists would clearly go another route.

The debate is likely to become more heated before there is agreement. Whatever one’s stance, the first ever State curriculum on beliefs and ethics in primary schools amounts to a game-changer. Engagement and conciliation will be central to managed change. While Gandhi once pointed out that “God had no religion”, attacks on minority faiths have blighted the lives of millions across the world.

So few can argue that a better understanding of other religions is not beneficial. Ideally, there would be room for both approaches, but we are a long way from such a Promised Land.