Parents File Wave of Complaints Over Ireland’s New Primary Curriculum

Dublin: The Department of Education is facing a surge of complaints from parents—and even students—over the rollout of the new primary curriculum. Hundreds of emails and petitions allege the reforms promote “vocal ideology” and “grooming”, accusations the department strongly rejects.

The revised curriculum, introduced last year as part of a nationwide update to primary education, has become a flashpoint in an increasingly divisive cultural debate.

More than 100 petitions have been submitted, many from parents threatening to withdraw children from school if reforms continue. A Wicklow-based parent affiliated with a Christian church said they would remove their child from class if “LGBT and gender-neutral ideology” was taught.

Critics argue the curriculum exposes children to inappropriate sexual education, replaces religious instruction, and downplays preparation for Catholic sacraments. One parent claimed the reforms force a “transgender and homosexual agenda” on young children, while another questioned why primary students are learning “complex sexual identities that even adults struggle with.”

Some say parents—not schools—should decide what topics their children learn, with one complainant mockingly asking if children would soon be handed a “menu” of sexual orientations. Others insisted faith formation should take place outside school hours.

Concerns were not limited to parents. One secondary school student objected to increased focus on international languages at the expense of Irish, saying the change “destroys our culture.”

In response, the Department of Education defended the curriculum, describing it as “the most comprehensive redevelopment in a generation.” A spokesperson said the changes followed extensive national consultation, including input from parents, educators and children. Feedback was gathered through focus groups, conferences, school networks, surveys, and written submissions, with results published in two public reports.

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