Association of Catholic Institutes of Education Conference
Dr. Amalee Meehan (DCU Institute of Education) and Dr. Daniel O’Connell (Mary Immaculate College, Limerick) presented jointly at the ACISE Conference in Glasgow on April 5th 2018. Their theme was Reform of State Curricula in Ireland: Implications for Religious Education
In the Republic of Ireland, the state curricula at both primary and second level are undergoing radical change. These changes will have a considerable effect on the teaching of Religious Education in Catholic schools. This paper examined the Framework for Junior Cycle (2015) and the proposals for the new primary curriculum in Ireland. It analysed the implications of the current reform of the State curricula for Religious Education in Catholic schools, primary and second level. The presenters noted the divergence between the approach taken by the State towards the teaching of Religious Education at primary and second level.
There was a full discussion after the presentation with participants from a variety of countries interested to engage from their perspective and to contribute to a conversation which highlighted the centrality of Religious Education for Catholic schools.