Religious identity a determining factor in two DCU teaching courses

Dublin City University will offer two alternative pathways to students wishing to enter a primary school teaching course this year, with a determining factor in the review process being whether or not an applicant is of a Catholic, Protestant or other religious background.

Whereas St. Patrick's College – a traditionally Catholic institution – had previously offered a B.A. in Primary Teaching Education (DC002) and the Church of Ireland College of Education – a reformed Christian institute – a similar Bachelor in Primary Teaching (DC004), DCU will now oversee both courses which will operate independently of one another, with the predetermining factor of which religion an applicant identifies with being considered in the review process for DC004.

It comes following the Incorporation Programme of St. Patrick's College Drumcondra, Mater Dei Institute and the Church of Ireland College of Education into DCU this year, with the amalgamation being overseen by the National Strategy for Higher Education on the basis of a shared vision between the separate institutions.

The legality of the situation under grounds of religious discrimination found in the Employment Equality Act 1998 is disregarded due to then Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn's decision to reserve 32 places in CICE solely for Protestant students in 2013 in order to maintain the religious ethos of the college.

The descriptor for DC004 states: "Restricted entry pathway for Church of Ireland, Methodist, Presbyterian, Society of Friends, Baptist and other reformed Christian applicants.

"At present, all 32 places on the Church of Ireland Centre's BEd are reserved for those belonging to the various reformed Christian denominations. All entrants to this strand of the BEd programme must also be aware of and willing to support the distinctive ethos of Protestant primary schools."

A 30 point difference exists between the denominational courses for those applying via the Central Applications Office (CAO) this year.

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