A Dublin multi-denominational school has cancelled plans to bring in a Catholic agency to teach children about sexuality and relationships after sustained protests from parents over the past two weeks.
The principal of Castleknock Educate Together primary school, Aedín Ní Thuathil, has written to parents telling them that Accord will not now be providing the RSE module for fifth and sixth classes and that an alternative provider has been sourced.
The decision follows demonstrations outside the school and other protests by parents since late last month after the school announced that Accord, which was established by the Catholic bishops, would deliver the programme to pupils later this month.
Accord has delivered the programme at the multi-denominational school for the past number of years, despite growing opposition from parents and formal opposition this year from the school's parent teacher association.
Welcoming the reversal, parent Susan Broe told RTÉ News: "We should not have had to fight so hard, and go public, on something that was so obviously wrong."
Ms Broe said it was "totally inappropriate" for any religious body to deliver part of the curriculum in an Educate Together school, "especially to teach about relationships and sexuality".
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