Mr Mammy
EQUATE response to Minister for Education proposals for ending Baptism Barrier
January 16, 2017
The commitment by the Minister for Education to legislate to end the Baptism Barrier announced in his speech at this morning’s EQUATE seminar is welcome.
EQUATE Director, Michael Barron said, “We are happy to see the Minister make a firm commitment to resolve the issue of the Baptism Barrier. There can be no doubt that momentum has been building for some time for reform of a system which allows schools to select students based on their religion.
“The Minister outlines four possibilities for ending the Baptism Barrier and intends consulting with stakeholders over the next 12 weeks. We look forward to being part of those consultations and to continuing to affirm that the solution which would allow for equal access lies in an amendment to the Equal Status Act.
“Constitutional opinion we have published demonstrates that there no impediments to amending the Act.
“Families should not have to fear having a non baptised child in order to gain entry nor should they have to sign up to a belief system that is not their own. We believe that the only full equality and children’s rights option is the removal of the Baptism Barrier by removing the exemption from the Equal Status Act, 2000.”
EQUATE is a children and family rights organisation
EQUATE is a children and family rights organisation which works for greater equality in primary and secondary school education in Ireland.
We believe that education is a fundamental cornerstone of our society and our schools must operate in the best interest of all our children.
We believe that our education system must be fit for purpose in the 21st century, reflecting the diversity of our families, our communities and our society.
All children must experience equality in their local school and we are working so that no child is isolated because of their identity,
family background, religion or non-religion.
We believe that our publicly funded education system must be equally available to all our children and our schools must prioritise equality.
