Religion as a source of well-being: implications for second-level school programmes in Ireland and beyond

Internationally, student well-being is emerging as a core concern in the field of education. This paper examines the relationship between religion and well-being as advanced by three recent international studies. It highlights the relationship between religion and spiritual development (as a dimension of well-being). The second part of the paper provides a brief outline of second level education in the Republic of Ireland before turning to the potential of Religious Education to address the well-being concern at the heart of the new Irish Junior Cycle. With recourse to this practical illustration, it proposes Religious Education as a resource for student well-bein