The Countess team has produced a new resource for parents and guardians who are concerned about ideological influence and teaching in Irish schools
Despite the fact that Irish parents exercise a fundamental constitutional role as the primary educators of their children, particularly in the areas of moral and religious formation, many parents now perceive a growing disconnect between this role and the content delivered through compulsory elements of the school curriculum, especially Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE), Relationship and Sexuality Education (RSE), and Bí Cineálta.
Parents are worried about gender ideology being taught as fact, critical race theory and anti-Western bias creeping in, and the introduction of social issues beyond core subjects, such as social justice and climate change, that can lead to anxiety and distress in young people who are not developmentally ready for this onslaught.
Public consultations on curriculum changes received thousands of submissions expressing these worries, yet many parents feel that the final programme proceeded with insufficient adjustments.
This has led to widespread calls for greater transparency, genuine consultation, evidence-based content, opt-out respect, and restoration of trust between parents, schools, and the Department of Education.
The practical steps outlined in the guide aim to empower parents to address their concerns lawfully and constructively, while centring the child’s best interests. The guide covers parents’ legal rights, how to raise concerns with schools and how to escalate beyond Board of Management level.
Read and download our new guide here: