Sir, – The Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) takes great pride in our long-standing commitment to equality and inclusion in our schools. We are also proud of our commitment to respectful debate and democratic structures. We note Paddy Monahan’s comments (“Teachers are clear they want religion out of the classroom”, Opinion, Thursday, May 9th), and wish to offer some important context and clarification.
At our 157th annual congress, 850 democratically elected delegates from INTO branches across the island of Ireland adopted the 13 recommendations of our Taskforce on the Future of Primary School Patronage. These recommendations represent the official position of the union.
It is, however, noteworthy that a motion calling for the removal of single-faith education from the school day in State-funded schools, debated at congress and addressed by members of Education Equality, was defeated by a significant margin.
INTO has undertaken extensive research and engagement on religious education and school patronage with members in recent years. These exercises have consistently shown that views are varied and deeply held. Our membership is divided on some aspects of this complex issue. Recognising this, we have worked to find a common ground, one that acknowledges those divisions and reflects the union’s democratic structures.
It is inevitable that some on both sides of such a sensitive debate will be dissatisfied, but what we now have is a union policy position that portrays the opinions of the majority of our congress delegates, who are chosen to represent our 55,000 members.
We will continue to work with our members, who are doing tremendous work in a sensitive area and doing their best for the children they teach. – Yours, etc,
JOHN BOYLE,
General Secretary,
Irish National Teachers’ Organisation.
