Religious patronage in Irish primary schools — and the feelings of exclusion and ‘othering’ experienced by children and families who are not members of the school’s religious tradition — has been a subject of debate for decades. It is becoming increasingly urgent as Ireland continues to change, and as the number of children identifying as having no religion grows. As Communications Officer with voluntary human rights advocacy group Education Equality, David Graham has campaigned for many years on behalf of non-religious and minority-faith families and teachers who face systemic discrimination in Irish schools. He is proud to work as part of a growing group of compassionate, committed and capable people making the case for urgent reform of Ireland’s primary education system, around 95% of which remains under the patronage of religious bodies. Inclusive education in Ireland should be the norm, not the exception. Education Equality’s message couldn’t be simpler: Irish society has changed, our schools must too.

Classroom Hero explores the experience of a child who does not participate in religious instruction in an Irish primary school and the challenges of belonging when most schools operate under religious patronage.

See below for a sample of David’s writing on this topic:

School patronage survey is a stalling tactic - Irish Times Letters · Jun 17, 2024

Draft primary curriculum - Irish Times Letters · Mar 08, 2024

Religion in schools - is it time for change? - Donegal Democrat · Feb 29, 2024

Survey on the ethos of schools - Irish Times Letters · Oct 04, 2023

Schools and patronage - Irish Times Letters · Sep 08, 2023

Religious evangelism soaks into every pore of the Irish school curriculum - Irish Times · May 2, 2023

Ireland has changed - our schools must too - Westmeath Independent · Jan 28, 2022

Discrimination Is Rife in Irish Schools: The Government Must End It Now - Hot Press Magazine · Nov 9, 2021

Society has changed – our schools must too - The Echo · Jul 19, 2021

Religious ethos should no longer be allowed flourish in our schools - Irish Examiner · Jun 29, 2021

Molly is right, keep religion out of sex education in schools - The Times Ireland · May 21, 2021

Church/State hegemony in our schools needs to be tackled with urgency - Irish Daily Mail · Feb 13, 2021

Religion is a choice - not an obligation. Let’s make religious classes opt-in - The Journal.ie · Feb 5, 2020

Teaching sacraments at school - Irish Times Letters · Dec 20, 2019

Religious instruction and worship should take place outside core school hours - The Journal.ie · Apr 5, 2018

Time for schools to face up to the change in Irish society - Irish Examiner · Feb 2, 2018