NI: Private member’s bill would extend religious discrimination rules to teachers

NI: Private member's bill would extend religious discrimination rules to teachers

Chris Lyttle

Protections against religious discrimination in employment would be extended to school teachers under a proposed private member’s bill.

Chris Lyttle, Alliance MLA for Belfast East, has launched a consultation on a proposed bill to include teachers under the Fair Employment and Treatment (NI) Order 1998.

Mr Lyttle said: “Research carried out by the UNESCO Education Centre at Ulster University suggests only two per cent of teachers in Catholic primary schools are from a Protestant background, and in primary schools with mainly Protestant pupils, only seven per cent of teachers are from a Catholic background.

“I am therefore seeking the views of the public to ask if they agree teachers should be included in the Fair Employment and Treatment Order (NI) 1998 and propose to make this change by way of a private member’s bill at the Assembly.

“I welcome all views on this important matter and encourage as many people and organisations as possible to take part in the survey before the closing date of June 10 2021.”

Share icon
Share this article: