Irish schools are far ahead of their European counterparts in preventing social exclusion, according to the preliminary findings of a study of educational reforms throughout the EU.
The preliminary results of "Includ-ED", a five-year research project of education systems in 13 member states by staff at Dublin City University, were presented at a conference on education and access at DCU yesterday.
The conference was attended by more than 100 delegates, including Minister for Education Mary Hanafin.
According to the report's preliminary findings, initiatives such as the Delivery of Equal Opportunity in Schools and the extensive work conducted on interculturalism in Irish education can serve as examples of best practice for the rest of Europe.
However, in terms of the recognition of cultural and religious diversity within schools, major reforms need to be undertaken - in particular at primary level.
The report also stresses the importance of creating schools in which all religions can freely and equally find their expression.
"Cultural and religious diversity within the school frameworks creates benefits for pupils from cultural minorities and for all other members of the educational community," it says.