EQUATE:Equality in Education

We are coming to the end of EQUATE and we want to thank you for all your hard work, dedication to Equality and support.

We set up in October 2015 as a time limited catalyst organisation with the stated aim of furthering equality in education.

Over the past two years there has been more movement in the area than at any other time in our recent history. We have seen some very significant developments including the repeal of Rule 68, which gave religion classes a privileged status in national schools. We’ve seen programme for government commitments on advancing equality in education and a commitment by Community National Schools to end sacramental preparation during the school day. One of the biggest changes we have seen, however, is the commitment of the Minister for Education and Skills Richard Bruton T.D. to end the baptism barrier in the vast majority of State schools. This committment needs to be realised and implemented fully.

We want to thank the children, young people, parents and families who are fighting for Equality in education. It has been a great privilege to have had the opportunity to work alongside you.

Please see our video and our final report here: https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/08f4c2_bff0121ef29e4be7ad338dfb92828e5c.pdf

EQUATE Highlights 2015 2017

Excellent Editorial from Irish Times today:
"As it stands, our system is not fit for purpose to meet the needs of a diverse population. Every child should have the same opportunities, regardless of their family background, religion or non- religion. Too often, this is not the case"

Religion and schools: time for more radical reform Our State-funded education system must be equally available to all our children

Carl O'Brien on Dept Ed announcement of plans about teaching of religion in ETB second level schools:

"More broadly, the move is likely to be seen as the latest attempt by the State to wrest back control of its schools from the Church.

Today, one in 10 of the population has no religion. More than one in three people in some parts of the State – such as Dublin City, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown and Galway – are non-Catholic.

As far as the State sector is concerned, at least, the education system is finally – and belatedly – catching up with the reality of the modern classroom"

Non-religious students often feel like second-class citizens Analysis: Modernising religion rules will – belatedly – help respect rights of all pupils

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/education/pupils-who-opt-out-of-religion-to-be-taught-other-subjects-1.3265040?mode=amp

Pupils who opt-out of religion to be taught other subjects New rules to ensure ‘proper timetable of beneficial work’ for those not studying topic

EQUATE welcomes the news in today's The Irish Times that Community National Schools will no longer provide sacramental preparation during the school day.

Have you got involved with the UReport survey yet?!

Please do!

U-Report Ireland UReport is a tool to give young people a voice on issues that matter to them, by answering the polls

Are you aged 13 - 24?!

We would love to hear from young people about your opinions and experiences of religion and school.

Please get involved with U-Report Ireland and make your voice heard on this major social issue!

U-Report Ireland UReport is a tool to give young people a voice on issues that matter to them, by answering the polls

Large numbers of parents are paying more than €300 for books alone ahead of the new school year.

And the sheer cost of back-to-school expenses means many parents stop paying important household bills at this time of the year.

Leading children's charity Barnardos Ireland accused the Government of forcing parents to subsidise an under-funded education system.

It costs up to €800 to buy all that is needed for a pupil starting in first year in secondary school, the charity's survey found.

How parents are skipping household bills to pay for school books Large numbers of parents are paying more than €300 for books alone ahead of the new school year.

From a piece in today's Irish Times by Daniel Faas who recently wrote a research paper on Community National Schools.

"Many of the 11-year-old pupils in our study expressed the view that sacramental preparation during the school day has led to a perceived privileging of Catholic students over other faith groups, prompting questions about the supposedly equal and inclusive ethos of this school model.

It is clear that, to maintain an inclusive and equality-based approach to (religious) education, no group can be given special treatment over another."

Sacramental preparation does not belong during regular school day State-backed community national schools are moving in the right direction

Children in direct provision have spoken of “not liking anything” about their lives, of being “looked at in a creepy way” by men in their centres, and of worrying about their mothers.

Others have also spoken about liking the community where they live, the homework clubs and living near beaches or in town centres.

These are among the findings of a Government consultation with 110 children, aged between eight and 17, living in 11 direct provision centres across the State.

Men ‘look creepy at you’ - children in direct provision speak out Interviews with 110 minors reveal concerns about poverty, stigma and personal safety

Dear Parents, we'd love to hear about your experiences of our schools. Has your religion or belief impacted?

Home This project grew out of a recent series of public meetings we hosted around the country. At these meetings parents opened up to us about what it was like for them and their children to be in a school that didn’t respect their beliefs.

Take some time to day to help Barnardos Ireland get the most up to date information on their school costs survey!

The Real Cost of School in 2017 | Barnardos Ireland Please take Barnardos’ School Costs Survey and let us know how much you spend getting ready for the new school year.