“Simon, the last time i lived in Ireland the rabid catholics were still very much in charge. At least in the rural areas, if not Dublin. I’m glad to see things are changing. But I thought even the state run schools still tended to have boards of governors that include the local parish priest who might want to stick a spoke in forward looking ideas like this. Teachers aren’t always free to act of their own conscience.

Seriously, I am actually Irish, Simon, though haven’t lived there since the 1980s and haven’t visited since 2005. I always found Ireland’s politics and social issues best viewed from a distance in order to get a better perspective on them. But admittedly for the past few years I have taken my eye off the ball.

Quite easily I imagine.

This image of Ireland being over-run by rabid catholics is quite out of date.

Even though the catholic church tries to maintain its cancerous influence in education there is only a tiny, tiny minority of teachers who are priests and nuns and their influence is negligible. Most teachers are state employees who will welcome guidelines like these I imagine.

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“I am delighted to launch this important resource which represents the culmination of a lot of hard work by all concerned and has had the committed involvement of all the education partners.

It will be of very significant practical assistance to principals and schools leaders.”

Congratulations GLEN ! ! !

Now if only those RCC teaching brothers and sisters could be brought to justice for being so cruel under the pretext of educating children. Spare the rod…indeed.