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Inclusive second level religious education in Ireland today: what do teachers say?

Meehan, Amalee orcid logoORCID: 0000-0002-1303-6040 and Laffan, Derek A. orcid logoORCID: 0000-0002-5780-1840 (2021) Inclusive second level religious education in Ireland today: what do teachers say? Journal of Religious Education, 69 (3). pp. 439-451. ISSN 1442-018X

Abstract
The Irish religious landscape is changing. Census data reveal that the percentage of those who identify as Catholic is in steady decline, while the proportion of those with no religion continues to rise. Christian religious practice in Ireland is also decreasing, especially among young people. Catholic schools, once the dominant provider of second level education, are now in a minority. This changing landscape has influenced Religious Education in second level schools. It is now an optional subject, and the historic tradition of denominational, confessional Religious Education has given way to an approach designed to be inclusive of students of all faith and none. Yet the surrounding discourse is unsupported by the perspectives of Religious Education teachers. This study attempts to address this knowledge gap by investigating their views and experiences, particularly with regard to inclusion. Results indicate that teachers are concerned about ‘religious students’. Whereas new to the Irish context, this reflects international research which suggests that in a rapidly secularising society, those who continue to practice any faith, especially the once-majority faith, are vulnerable. Findings signpost evidence of this, with RE teachers most concerned about the bullying of Catholic students and least concerned about the bullying of atheists.
Metadata
Item Type:Article (Published)
Refereed:Yes
Uncontrolled Keywords:Religious Education; Teachers; Second level; Bullying; Catholic
Subjects:Humanities > Religions
DCU Faculties and Centres:DCU Faculties and Schools > Institute of Education > School of Human Development
Research Institutes and Centres > Anti-Bullying Research Centre (ABC)
Publisher:Springer
Official URL:https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s40839-021-00144-8
Copyright Information:© The Authors 2021. Open Access (CC-BY-4.0)
Funders:Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC)
ID Code:26368
Deposited On:18 Oct 2021 14:58 by Thomas Murtagh . Last Modified 11 Apr 2022 13:28
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