The baptism barrier in primary schools could soon be a thing of the past

Source: Telegraph.co.uk

Another big step forward has been taken by the government to end the baptism barrier in Irish primary schools.

Minister for Education Richard Bruton vocalised his views on the issue in recent days, taking to Twitter saying "It is not fair that parents, who might otherwise not do so, should feel pressure to baptize their children in order to gain admission to their local school. That is why I am proposing to remove the role that religion plays in school admissions in virtually all primary schools."

The School Admissions Bill passed all stages in the Dáil last night and will now be sent to the Seanad.

Approximately 90% of primary schools across the country are run through the Catholic faith, despite recent figures showing that over 20% of Ireland's parent-age population are not religious.

If the bill passes, it means Catholic children can no longer get preference in schools' enrolment policies.

Minister for Education Richard Bruton said the legislation "will have a historic impact on how children access their local school".

It is not fair that parents, who might otherwise not do so, should feel pressure to baptize their children in order to gain admission to their local school. That is why I am proposing to remove the role that religion plays in school admissions in virtually all primary schools

— Richard Bruton (@RichardbrutonTD) May 29, 2018

The Government is preparing itself for a legal backlash by those opposed to the idea.