President Michael D Higgins says homework should be banned in Ireland
The country’s favourite leader believes that school activities should end at the school gate and students should be encouraged to engage in more creative pursuits
- 10:39, 21 JAN 2023
Never miss a beat from Dublin and beyond by signing up to our FREE newsletter
We have more newsletters
President Michael D Higgins has called for homework to be banned.
The country’s favourite leader has given hope to a new generation of students that the bane of their afterschool evenings could be scrapped. President Higgins argues that this would make time for young people to engage in more creative pursuits outside school hours.
The former Arts Minister believes that school activities should end at the school gate. He was speaking to RTE’s news2day current affairs and news programme for children on the occasion of the programme’s 20th birthday.
Read more: Children being 'corrupted' by drug dealing situation in Oliver Bond flats, Dail told
When asked what his opinion of homework President Higgins said: “I think myself, really that the time at home, and the time in the school is an educational experience and it should get finished at the school and people should be able to use their time for other creative things.”
To mark the show’s two decades on air, students from St Kevin’s National School, Littleton, County Tipperary put questions from RTÉ news2day viewers to President Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin. In a wide-ranging interview, the children asked the President questions like, what was your favourite sport when you were in school?
When you were nine years old what did you want to be? And when did you decide you wanted to be President?
The students also asked the President about his dogs, his official trips abroad, his favourite subject in school, differences between now and when he was a child and his favourite book. The President also spoke to the children about his love of handball and the importance of friendship in their lives.
RTÉ news2day will broadcast some of the President’s interview as part of Friday afternoon’s birthday celebrations at 4.20pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ News channel and the full interview will be available later on Friday evening on the RTÉ Player. In a message to the children of Ireland and the viewers of RTÉ news2day, President Michael D. Higgins gave this advice: “To stay curious about everything and I think it’s important to make sure you don’t miss the joy of sharing information.
“And I think an important thing is friendship and to make sure that there’s no one left without friendship and that people belong. And we will all do individual things... but I think friendships that you make will in fact always be great memories and that is so important. And also have the courage to stand your own ground and let other children be allowed the space of standing their ground too because none of us are the same.
“We’re all unique but at the same time we have a lot going for us.” President Higgins also encouraged the children of Ireland to speak the Irish language.
He encouraged them to speak Irish in a fun way and to feel free to use whatever bits of the language that they have.
Phone analysis expert says 'nothing to suggest' Jonathan Dowdall in park on alleged 'confession' date
Dermot Bannon says latest season of Room To Improve 'nearly killed him'
RTE Late Late Show viewers hail 'fantastic' Nell Mescal on singing debut
Temperatures soar across Dublin despite forecast of dreary weather
Gardai appeal for help in locating missing Dublin pensioner
Sign up to the Dublin Live Newsletter to get all the latest Dublin news straight to your inbox.
- President Higgins
- Most Recent
President Michael D Higgins calls for school homework to be scrapped
President Michael D Higgins stopped by St Kevin's National School in Tipperary where the pupils interviewed him about his dogs, his time in school and his view on homework
- 15:01, 21 JAN 2023
Get the latest showbiz news and gossip every day by signing up to our FREE newsletter
We have more newsletters
President of Ireland Michael D Higgins has said he supports the scrapping of homework.
He addressed students of St Kevin's National School, Littleton, Co Tipperary, this week in an episode of RTE's news2day programme.
The President said that schoolwork should be completed in school time so children can use time after school to pursue more creative activities.
Read more: Ireland weather: Met Eireann pin point the end of the cold snap as temperatures skyrocket next week
“People should be able to use their time for other creative things,” he said.
"I think as much as possible that [homework] should happen in the school and I think it’s more relaxed than it used to be.”
He said that not all lessons are learned from books, but that the responsible use of phones is something that he hopes the younger generation will be acutely aware of.
The children of Ireland "have a great value of friendships" and this makes it even more tragic when there is an "abuse of phones for bullying", the President said.
The pupils were also curious about some of the other residents of Aras an Uachtaran - dogs Brod and Misneach.
"He's probably a very famous dog now," said President Higgins of Brod. "He will be 11 in February, which is a very good age for a Bernese Mountain dog and Bród is wonderful.
"He came here at six weeks old, so he's lived all of his life at the Áras..
As for Misneach, he said: "He came during Covid and because I couldn't collect him because of the ban on inter-county travel, he didn't come to me until he was five months old.
"He also didn't have a good journey here, so he's actually shy. He's a beautiful dog."
Get the latest RSVP headlines straight to your inbox for free by signing up to our newsletter
Social welfare Ireland: Major warning issued as payment dates change ahead of Bank Holiday
Louth nurse opens up about father's passing 10 days after cancer diagnosis
Stefanie Preissner felt enormous guilt after 5 devastating miscarriages in two years
Una Healy leaves fans 'mind blown' after capturing optical illusion photograph
Amy Huberman moved after young fan sends her sweet letter
- Most Recent
Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent
Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.
- UK Politics
- News Videos
- Paris 2024 Olympics
- Rugby Union
- Sport Videos
- John Rentoul
- Mary Dejevsky
- Andrew Grice
- Sean O’Grady
- Photography
- Theatre & Dance
- Culture Videos
- Food & Drink
- Health & Families
- Royal Family
- Electric Vehicles
- Car Insurance deals
- Lifestyle Videos
- UK Hotel Reviews
- News & Advice
- Simon Calder
- Australia & New Zealand
- South America
- C. America & Caribbean
- Middle East
- Politics Explained
- News Analysis
- Today’s Edition
- Home & Garden
- Broadband deals
- Fashion & Beauty
- Travel & Outdoors
- Sports & Fitness
- Sustainable Living
- Climate Videos
- Solar Panels
Behind The Headlines
On the ground, decomplicated, you ask the questions, binge watch, travel smart.
- Watch on your TV
- Crosswords & Puzzles
- Most Commented
- Newsletters
- Ask Me Anything
- Virtual Events
- Betting Sites
- Online Casinos
- Wine Offers
Thank you for registering
Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in Please refresh your browser to be logged in
Independent TV
Showing now | lifestyle.
Mary-Kate Findon | Saturday 21 January 2023 16:06 GMT
Irish president suggests schools should avoid setting children homework
Ireland's president has suggested that schools should avoid assigning children homework, leaving school at the gates.
Michael D Higgins shared his beliefs on the matter during a sit down with students that was broadcast on RTE.
"People should be able to use their time for other creative things," he told the children during his visit to Tipperary.
The 81-year-old also offered words of wisdom for the young people, urging them to "stay curious about everything."
Click here to sign up for our newsletters.
Cruz Beckham tries to follow in father David’s footballing footsteps
Michael Palin shares how he is coping with grief after wife’s death
Conservationists save two-tonne rhino mother from falling on baby
Tearful Kelly Clarkson tears into ‘cruelty’ of Arizona abortion ban
Editor’s picks.
I traveled 300 miles to chase the total solar eclipse
Baltimore will rebuild, but at what cost? | On The Ground
New Yorkers turn to self-defence classes as punching attacks continue
What would a President Trump 2.0 look like?
Tom Walker: ‘Songwriting is my therapy’
Here’s why Greece is still a firm family summer holiday favourite
Author Ela Lee: ‘We need to take blackout sex more seriously’
This 26-year-old could be Biden’s secret weapon | On The Ground
The NHS nurse fighting to be heard | On The Ground
The temple at the heart of Narendra Modi’s re-election bid
Delhi’s worsening air pollution leaves sufferers across the city
The true cost of disposable vapes | On the Ground
Trapped in the care system
When will the Cost of Living Crisis end?
How airlines greenwash the skies
Is it time to panic over AI? | Behind The Headlines
My personal struggle amid the global fight for abortion rights
Non-doms, ghost-doms and tax loopholes of the elite
The fight for LGBT+ rights in Poland
The war in Ukraine | Behind The Headlines
Are ultra-processed foods bad for you?
Why are UK councils going bankrupt?
What causes the winter flu and how does it differ from other types?
How does the Iowa Caucus pick the next US president? | Decomplicated
Everything you need to know about the bedbug invasion | Decomplicated
What is Raac and why is it causing an issue in schools?
How does El Niño affect our weather? | Decomplicated
What are storm overflows? | Decomplicated
Oscars 2024: Who will win Best Actor and Actress?
Oscars 2024: Who will win Best Picture and Best Director?
Big Brother’s Jordan and Henry on life after the house
Baftas 2024: Best British film nominees you need to watch
Joel Edgerton: ‘I hope streaming doesn’t spell the end of cinema’
What TV and film to watch in 2024
The ultimate guide to the best Christmas film and TV | Binge Watch
Binge Watch live: Your guide to festive watching
Watch Gia Ford perform her brand new single ‘Poolside’ on Music Box
Gia Ford performs ‘Falling in Love Again’
Dylan John Thomas performs ‘Wake Up Ma’ on Music Box
Watch Dylan John Thomas perform his single ‘Fever’ on Music Box
Watch the beautiful performance of ‘the author’ by Luz on Music Box
Watch Irish singer Luz perform single ‘sustain’ on Music Box
Damian Lewis sings ‘Down On The Bowery’ for Music Box
Damian Lewis performs ‘Wanna Grow Old In Paris’ live on Music Box
Find your perfect seasonal city break
Discover the diverse appeals of Fuerteventura
Sunny holiday escapes no matter the time of year | Travel Smart
History and hiking to Antalya’s must-visit locations
Crusading knights and unparalleled sights on the coast of Türkiye
Lose yourself in Istanbul’s cultural oasis
Island life of adventure and discovery in Barbados | Travel Smart
Love Lives: If men went through menopause, it would be a disaster
Love Lives: Best moments from 2023
Tom Grennan: ‘I was an egotistical 21-year-old’
Tom Grennan: ‘I need to live like an athlete so I can perform’
Emma Forrest on the unseen romantic damage caused by Trump
Emma Forrest: ‘Trump’s election made me want to be celibate’
Kirstie Allsopp gives her tips for selling your home
How to avoid fast fashion this Christmas | You Ask The Questions
How do you get the best deal on Black Friday?
Has Rishi Sunak’s reshuffle changed the fate of his government?
Can Britain’s homeless crisis be solved?
What did we learn from the Labour and Conservative party conferences?
What does the four-tier EU membership possibly mean for the UK?
Is a four-day week a good idea? | You Ask The Questions
Home Office minister ignores questions on airlines for Rwanda scheme
If you want free world to win again, buy my book, says Liz Truss
Farage slams Brussels after National Conservative Conference shut down
Drink driver struggles to speak when stopped by police after crash
Liz Truss squirms when questioned on lettuce lasting longer than her
Copenhagen: Spire collapses as fire engulfs stock exchange building
IDF chief of staff says Israel will respond to Iran missile attack
Man smears faeces all over Canterbury takeaway entrance
Mauricio Pochettino shares special moment with Dele Alli on Sky Sports
Pochettino sends message to Chelsea stars after penalty bust-up
Hillsborough: Klopp and Van Dijk lay wreaths on 35th anniversary
Bayer Leverkusen star gatecrashes interview to ‘hide’ after title win
Bayer Leverkusen boss Alonso soaked in beer during press conference
Marc Skinner praises Mary Earps save as Man United reach FA Cup final
Moment Bayer Leverkusen fans storm pitch as club win Bundesliga title
Scottie Scheffler reflects on ‘extremely special’ Masters win
Watch: Double dust devil swirls along Route 66 highway
Octopuses could go blind due to global warming, researchers say
Commuters knocked off feet as quake earthquake rocks packed train
Large waterspout looms over Lisbon bridge in impressive footage
London Eye to go dark this weekend as part of Earth Hour
US children takeover weather forecasts to call for climate action
First day of spring dampened by lake-effect snow blanketing New York
Girls Aloud poke fun at iconic clip where Cheryl rules out reunion
Billy Joel CBS special cut off abruptly during Piano Man
Will Smith performs ‘Men in Black’ in surprise Coachella appearance
Watch: Grimes screams as technical difficulties hamper Coachella set
Taylor Swift spotted at Coachella dancing to own song at Ice Spice set
Watch: Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt perform ‘Barbenheimer’ duet on SNL
Gwen Stefani arrives at Coachella on private jet ahead of No Doubt set
Mel B spits out ‘horrible’ food on Saturday Morning Kitchen
Saudi Cup: ‘A true display of horsemanship’, says Prince Bandar
Princess Nourah praises young fashion designers on show at Saudi Cup
Andrew Strauss says Saudi is an eye opener
Saudi Arabia is ‘pushing limits’ of fashion creativity
Saudi Cup could become ‘the best race in the world’
Horseracing chiefs praise Saudi Cup
Saudi will become a ‘worldwide, year-long’ horseracing destination
Arabian horses ‘big part’ of global racing culture, says Damien Oliver
Galaxy the ripple effect.
Ebony Rainford-Brent MBE on the imposter syndrome epidemic
Finance coach Ellie Austin-Williams on the psychology of money
STEM campaigner Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon MBE on workplace bias
Ebony Rainford-Brent MBE on how to tackle imposter syndrome
Simple ways to boost your money situation with Ellie Austin-Williams
Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon shares how to smash workplace stereotypes
E.on next power switch.
Episode One - Cooking
Episode Two - Entertainment
Episode Three - Body Care
Episode Four - Lighting
Big in america.
Can Willsow’s children’s books pique the interest of the US market?
Will the founders of Spice Kitchen be able to find US retailers?
Co-founders of See.Sense bring their cycle safe tech to New York City
Collctiv fintech founder Amy Whitell tries to crack the US tech market
The maritime tech guru taking high-speed ferries across the Atlantic
Saudi green initiative.
Saudi government doesn’t ‘pay lip service’ on climate action
SGI ‘seems like a nest of harmony’, journalist says
SGI ambitions are ‘extremely high’, says Saudi climate envoy
Saudi Green Initiative aims to ‘not just preserve, but create’
Expert explains how ‘blended finance’ can help achieve net zero
SGI can be a ‘catalyst’ for Saudi Arabia, head of SABB says
Kaust professor ‘inspired’ by Saudi efforts to save coral reefs
Watch in full: Day two of the Saudi Green Initiative Forum
Gérard Mestrallet on the challenges of bringing infrastructure to the region of AlUla
Sir George Iacobescu, chairman of the Canary Wharf Group on the investment into the historic region of AlUla
Oliver Ripley of sustainable hotel group Habitas talks about how AlUla challenged his preconceptions of Saudi Arabia
Thomas Kaplan of wild cat conservation charity Panthera on the mission to save the Arabian Leopard
How AlUla’s sustainability plan will stand the test of time - webinar
Discover AlUla: The Journey Through Time
AlUla Oasis View Trail
Stargazing Experience
The President Of Ireland Wants To Get Rid Of Homework & Honestly, He's Onto Something
“The time in the school is an educational experience and it should get finished at the school.”
Do you know who doesn’t like homework? Kids — and certain presidents. In an impassioned plea to the people of his nation, President Michael D. Higgins has called for a ban on homework across Ireland. And if small children were given the right to vote tomorrow, I feel fairly certain I know whose name they would be supporting on the ballot.
Higgins, who is himself a former Arts Minister of Ireland and therefore, in my opinion, knows a little about the subject, spoke to Ireland’s news program for kids RTE’s news2day at St. Kevin’s School in Tipperary about a number of subjects. What he wanted to be when he was a kid himself. What was his favorite sport in school, which he said was handball. When did he decide he wanted to be president. And then, the mutual bane of their existence — homework.
“I think myself, really that the time at home, and the time in the school is an educational experience and it should get finished at the school and people should be able to use their time for other creative things,” Higgins told his interviewers, four children hanging on his every word.
While it remains unclear if Higgins has begun any official paperwork to ban homework, which would ironically be homework for him, his sentiment resonated with his many fans. Children and social media users alike in fact. One person tweeted their appreciation of the fact that Higgins was “running his nation like the little Hobbit he is.”
Another social media user wondered if Higgins was really a “forest sprite.”
This social media user found the idea inspiring , writing, “We need a national conversation on how to bring more play, creativity, imagination, movement and positive experiences into our children’s lives. Banning homework would be a great first step.”
Higgins ended his interview with a message to children about the importance of fostering their friendships and telling them to “stay curious about everything and I think it’s important to make sure you don’t miss the joy of sharing information. And I think an important thing is friendship and to make sure that there’s no one left without friendship and that people belong. And we will all do individual things... but I think friendships that you make will in fact always be great memories and that is so important.”
I think he’s on to something.
- Data tracker
Students and parents plead case for homework ban
School children and parents pleaded with the Minister for Education Norma Foley to step in and introduce a homework ban.
In letters to the minister, kids wrote about how they were being forced to give up hobbies because they were given so much work to do after school.
The correspondence followed comments by President Michael D Higgins in January that a ban on homework should be considered.
In one letter, a school child wrote about how seven hours of school each day was “plenty of education” and that more work on top was unnecessary.
“I do not ask for homework to be completely banned but for it to be reduced to a certain limit. Otherwise, if there is a constant build-up of homework daily, it can cause stress and even a lack of exercise which will affect a person’s well-being.”
Another said they felt homework was a “waste of time” and that a ban should be introduced.
They wrote: “Kids should be doing more creative things with their time after school. Many kids have had to stop doing hobbies they have because of it.
“It is a burden to parents, kids, and teachers [and] so for the above reasons, I think you should BAN HOMEWORK!”
Homework annoys teachers
One hand-written letter, decorated with a Minnie Mouse bow, said homework was “annoying for teachers and pupils”.
“I play soccer and love writing stories, but because of homework, I have no time for doing these things. For teachers, it gives them more copies to correct and they have to go through the trouble of deciding what [homework] to give.”
A secondary school student said that if “sleeping isn’t for school” then “work isn’t for home”.
They explained how they did between one and two hours of homework every evening after school and sometimes more.
“When I would finish, there would be barely any time for me to relax before I had to go to bed to get enough sleep to get up in the morning,” said their letter.
“As I’m sure you’re aware, our president Michael D Higgins also thinks that homework should be banned so if you don’t want to listen to me, listen to our President.”
Another suggested there could at least be a compromise so that students would not be given homework for over the weekend.
“[This would relieve] students of mental stress,” they said.
Help parents
One young student said they were left with no time to help their parents, or to learn how to cook or do other activities around the house.
They said: “We all do activities like swimming, dance, and all other sports. It’s hard work and it’s stressful and it’s unfair.”
A single parent also wrote in to explain how one of their children was getting two hours of written homework every day.
They said: “We need time to teach them life skills such as sewing, cooking, how to work the washing machine, change their own bed sheets and personal care.
“These teachings are very hard for parents with zero [time] left in the evenings. There is no time for them to spend with siblings and parents because they are so tired.”
In responses, the Department of Education told the letter writers that homework policy was not within its powers.
In emails, they said: “The Department does not issue direct guidelines relating to homework being given in schools. It is a matter for each school, at local level, to arrive at its own homework policy.
“In keeping with good practice, the process of drafting a homework policy should involve consultation with teachers, parents, and students.
“However, the Department does acknowledge that homework can play an important part in helping pupils prepare for forthcoming class work and in reinforcing work already covered during class time.”
- Education ,
- Norma Foley ,
- President Michael D Higgins ,
- Minister for Education ,
- homework ban
Stardust inquests: Jury ‘very close’ to reaching verdicts
Mary Robinson: Spend money on climate now or our future will be more grim
Abigail star Alisha Weir on preparing to play a child vampire
ComReg dismisses Eir's claim of 'incorrect allegations' following court case
Message submitting... Thank you for waiting.
Want us to email you top stories each lunch time?
Banning homework: Taoiseach says schoolchildren get too much homework but doesn't call for ban
Varadkar said he'd have to speak to Minister for Education, Norma Foley, about the matter
- 15:07, 30 JAN 2023
- Updated 13:12, 20 JUL 2023
Stay on top of the latest issues at home and abroad by signing up to our FREE daily newsletter
We have more newsletters
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said he will talk to Minister for Education, Norma Foley, on the issue of getting rid of homework.
Varadkar on homework
While Varadkar didn't say he supported call to ban homework for schoolchildren, he did tell Newstalk that he felt some children get "too much" homework.
Asked about the homework debate today, Varadkar said he'd have to speak to Foley about it.
"We haven't had a chance to discuss it," he said.
Varadkar added that he "definitely" think kids have "too much homework".
"You could have a long day in class, get home in the early evening and then face three hours of homework.
"I remember that when I was a kid, staying up very late to do homework.
"I think there's definitely a place for homework but we need to make sure that there isn't too much of it."
The debate was sparked by President Michael D Higgins saying he was in favour of getting rid of homework.
Support for banning homework
Speaking on RTÉ last week, Higgins argued that getting rid of homework would allow young people more time to engage in creative pursuits outside of school hours.
The president was asked for his thoughts on homework and responded that he wasn't in favour of it.
"I think myself, really that the time at home, and the time in the school is an educational experience and it should get finished at the school and people should be able to use their time for other creative things."
When Varadkar was asked if he minded Higgins making a public comment on homework, the Taoiseach responded that the president's comments are "always welcome".
School policy on homework
Minister for Education, Norma Foley, has said she won't debate the homework ban issue with President Michael D Higgins.
A little over a week ago, Higgins told the nation's children that he was against schoolwork continuing beyond the school gates, in an address broadcast on RTÉ's news2day.
Foley said it was up to schools to decide on their homework policy.
She told The Irish Mirror that she wasn't going to get into it with the president.
"It would not be appropriate for a government minister to engage in public debate with the office of the president," she said.
"Currently schools are free to have their own policy on homework and these policies are created in conjunction with senior management and staff, the boards of management, parents and the pupils.
"Schools are in of themselves places where creative pursuits are cultivated, nurtured and encouraged and that creativity may also be reflected in homework."
In a recent poll, it was revealed that Irish Mirror readers were overwhelmingly in favour of banning homework, with 98 per cent of readers voting in favour of a ban.
In a landslide decision, 57,440 readers voted yes, while just 1,211 voted no.
Benefits of homework
Minister Foley recently said that her department doesn't "issue any guidelines relating to homework being given in schools.
"It is a matter for each school, at local level, to arrive at its own homework policy".
It followed a question from Fine Gael's Neale Richmond who asked if research has been carried out by her department into the benefits of ending the provision of homework for primary school pupils.
He told The Irish Mirror that children should be involved in conversations about their schools homework policy.
Minister Richmond said: "I submitted the Parliamentary Question following a visit to one of my local primary schools.
"The pupils were genuinely interested in the policy relating to homework going forward and I agreed it's an important discussion to involve pupils in."
Foley told her government colleague that the Department of Education has not commissioned research on the matter.
To keep up to date with all the latest Irish environment and international climate news sign up to our bi-weekly newsletter
READ NEXT - The environmental wins and losses of 2022
READ NEXT - The top political stories in Ireland in 2022
- In the News
- Leo Varadkar
- Michael D Higgins
- Norma Foley
- Most Recent
Norma Foley won't debate homework with President Michael Higgins after his call for it to be banned
Minister Foley finally broke her silence on the matter last night when she told the Irish Mirror that she was not going to get into it with the President.
- 06:00, 26 JAN 2023
- Updated 09:54, 26 JAN 2023
Want the latest political news and analysis delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up to our FREE newsletter
We have more newsletters
Education Minister Norma Foley is refusing to debate the homework ban issue with Michael D Higgins after the President called for schoolwork outside of school hours to be scrapped.
Instead, she said it is up to schools to decide homework policy, which is at odds with the President’s call for schoolwork to be left at the school gate.
The controversial comments, made on RTE’s news2day children’s news programme, have had the country’s students, teachers and parents debating the issue since the remarks were made last Friday by the President.
READ MORE: Met Eireann verdict on Ireland ‘Polar Vortex’ fears as weather phenomenon could trigger big freeze
She said: “It would not be appropriate for a Government Minister to engage in public debate with the office of the President.
“Currently schools are free to have their own policy on homework and these policies are created in conjunction with senior management and staff, the boards of management, parents and the pupils.
“Schools are in of themselves places where creative pursuits are cultivated, nurtured and encouraged and that creativity may also be reflected in homework.”
Meanwhile, a Government Minister has said that it is “important” to include children in discussions about homework policies in schools.
It comes days after President Higgins’ call for homework to be banned at home and for all work to stay in the classroom.
Irish Mirror readers were also overwhelmingly in favour of banning homework, with 98% of our readers in favour.
In a landslide decision, 57,440 readers voted yes, while just 1,211 voted no.
In an interview with RTÉ’s news2day, President Higgins said that he believed that time at home should be spent doing more creative activities,
He said: “I think myself, really that the time at home, and the time in the school is an educational experience and it should get finished at the school and people should be able to use their time for other creative things."
Minister Foley recently said that her Department does “not issue any guidelines relating to homework being given in schools.
“It is a matter for each school, at local level, to arrive at its own homework policy”.
It followed a question from Fine Gael Minister of State Neale Richmond who asked if research has been carried out by her Department into the benefits of ending the provision of homework for primary school pupils.
He told the Irish Mirror that children should be involved in conversations about their schools homework policy.
Minister Richmond said: “I submitted the Parliamentary Question following a visit to one of my local primary schools.
“The pupils were genuinely interested in the policy relating to homework going forward and I agreed it’s an important discussion to involve pupils in.”
Minister Foley told her Government colleague that the Department of Education has not commissioned research on the matter.
Heartbroken father says daughter made him pay for wedding before 'replacing me on the big day'
Thousands of workers missing out on cash boost that could be worth over €2,000
Instagram users warned 'you might have a stalker' if you notice one strange thing on your stories
Major rescue operation called into action after person falls from cliff in Howth
€3.5m Lotto jackpot-winning ticket sold in Dublin as search begins for winner
Get breaking news to your inbox by signing up to our newsletter
- President Higgins
- Most Recent
- 2022 City Budget
- 2022 Municipal Election
- Arts & Music
- Entertainment
- Food & Drink
- Peel Region
- Real Estate
- Things To Do
- Restaurants
- Polls (New)
- Sign in / Join
- Bramptonist Team
Sheridan College Named Adobe Creative Campus
$2.5M Wetland Enhancements Coming to Brampton
Peel Region And 3 Brampton Based Companies Clinch Spots on Forbes’ Best Employers List
Family Friendly March Break Extravaganza at PAMA
Restaurant Review: Copper Branch
Restaurant Review: Pos Bueno Mexican Restaurant and Bar
Restaurant Review: Onyxx Sports Bar and Grill
Restaurant Review: Honest Restaurant
Restaurant Review: Green Bites Dumpling & Tea Bar
Ireland’s President Higgins calls for an end to homework, encourages creativity and meaningful friendships instead
Pushes for education beyond the classroom, emphasizes language learning and self-expression ..
January 24, 2023 – Ireland’s President Michael Higgins is calling for an end to homework.
When pressed on his views during an interview with RTE’s news2day – a current affairs and news program for children, Higgins said: “ I think myself, really that the time at home, and the time in the school is an educational experience and it should get finished at the school and people should be able to use their time for other creative things. ”
He also added “ I think it’s important to make sure you don’t miss the joy of sharing information. And I think an important thing is friendship and to make sure that there’s no one left without friendship and that people belong. And we will all do individual things… but I think friendships that you make will in fact always be great memories and that is so important. And also have the courage to stand your own ground and let other children be allowed the space of standing their ground too because none of us are the same. We’re all unique but at the same time we have a lot going for us .”
Furthermore, Higgins encouraged the children of Ireland to speak the Irish language.
While the role of president in Ireland is mainly a ceremonial one, it does have some sway over how the government operates.
Even though it remains unclear if Higgins has begun any official paperwork to ban homework, which would irony be homework for him, his sentiment resonated with his many fans.
Homework banned in Ireland? Are my student dreams coming true? According to IrishMirror, President Michael D Higgins has called for homework to be banned as he thinks students can engage in more creative pursuits outside school hours. pic.twitter.com/MLfXlAzAhN — Nare (@Nare33242443) January 24, 2023
President Higgins calls for homework to be banned. It’s such a pity the *head of state* has no actual power on matters. This is such a smart and wise idea. The usual brigade will be out against this, but its the right thing to do for young people https://t.co/Qub7fJnTAA — Dylan (@dylancongolf) January 20, 2023
RELATED ARTICLES MORE FROM AUTHOR
Prevent Strokes: Expert Insights and Tips from Dr. Douen at Osler Health System
Meet Your Potential Furry Friends at Brampton Animal Services Shelter
Brampton Teacher Zeda Ali Going to the JUNO Awards
Samantha Baker: A Healthcare Hero’s Journey at Osler
Brampton’s Coldest Night of the Year Fundraiser Sets Record
The Best And Worst Places To Take Your G2 And G Tests
25 Places That Will Give You Free Food on Your Birthday
Brampton’s First Youth Shelter is Finally Opening its Doors
Popular category.
- instagram 897
- Arts & Music 371
- Things To Do 365
- Politics 352
- Food & Drink 316
- Entertainment 211
- The New Bramptonist Team: The Voice of Brampton
- Privacy Policy
- Terms & Conditions
President of Ireland calls for homework to be banned
President of Ireland Michael D Higgins. (Source: Getty)
The President of Ireland has made his thoughts known about homework, saying it should be left at the gate and children should be able to use their leisure time for "creative things".
Speaking to RTE’s news2day - a current affairs and news programme for children, Michael D Higgins answered questions on a wide range of topics, the Irish Mirror reports .
When pressed on his views about homework Higgins said: “I think myself, really that the time at home, and the time in the school is an educational experience and it should get finished at the school and people should be able to use their time for other creative things.”
Higgins, a former arts minister, told children “to stay curious about everything and I think it’s important to make sure you don’t miss the joy of sharing information.
“And I think an important thing is friendship and to make sure that there’s no one left without friendship and that people belong. And we will all do individual things... but I think friendships that you make will in fact always be great memories and that is so important.
“And also have the courage to stand your own ground and let other children be allowed the space of standing their ground too because none of us are the same.
“We’re all unique but at the same time we have a lot going for us.”
Higgins also encouraged the children of Ireland to speak the Irish language.
While the role of president in Ireland is mainly a ceremonial one, it does have some sway over how the government operates.
More Stories
Fire rages through 17th-century Old Stock Exchange in Copenhagen
The roof of the 17th-century former stock exchange, or Boersen, that was once Denmark’s financial centre, was engulfed in flames Tuesday.
Hannah Waddingham slams photographer: Don't say 'show a little leg'
"Oh my God, you'd never say that to a man, my friend," the Ted Lasso star also quipped.
Punches hurled as Georgian parliament descends into wild brawl
Ariana Grande concert bombing survivors take MI5 to court
Monday 2:02pm
Pompeii excavating unearths banquet hall, Trojan War figures
Sat, Apr 13
Italian fashion designer Roberto Cavalli dead at 83
Sydney cop rushed to Bondi mall, learnt fiancée was a victim
Monday 11:18am
Woolworths CEO threatened with jail at Australian profits inquiry
Stabbed Sydney church leader's views may have drawn his attack
$30m Lotto winners: King size bed, charities and travel on the cards
NZ’s electricity 'a very tight supply situation’ in cold months
Bondi attack: Aussie PM offers citizenship to 'bollard-man'
Police seek help locating missing Whakatū woman
Teen accused of Australian terror attack had knife-crime history
Aus cop charged after allegedly sharing secret sex video
Renowned Kiwis open up about their personal mental health in new series
Sponsored by AIA NZ
More from Entertainment
Ne-Yo to play one-off show in New Zealand
The Grammy award-winning singer has announced he's bringing his Champagne and Roses tour to New Zealand.
Monday 9:48am
'Most magical place on earth': SZA praises NZ at sold-out show
The 34-year-old is in New Zealand for three shows on her SOS tour.
Sun, Apr 14
'I love this country' - Momoa pays tribute to NZ as filming wraps
Netflix show drives tourists to stunning Italian village
Taylor Swift back on TikTok in time for new album's release
Splore festival to take 2025 off after 'challenging' season
Fri, Apr 12
We need your help now
Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.
You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.
If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.
- Temperature Check
- The Stardust Inquests
- Inside The Newsroom
- Climate Crisis
- International
'Why I believe homework should be banned', by one primary school student
As the discussion around state exams through the Covid-19 shutdown continues, a separate debate about the very need for homework itself rumbles on. Over the years, many have argued that homework for students in busy modern-day family structures is no longer workable.
This year, the Green Party sought to open a discussion about the banning of homework in future. Here, primary school pupil Misha McEnaney, a fifth class student from Dublin, outlines why he believes homework is more of a hindrance than a help.
IRISH CHILDREN SPEND around 274.5 hours on homework in a year. Is it a waste of time? Generally speaking, homework does not improve academic performance among children, although it may improve academic skills among older students especially lower-achieving kids. Homework also creates stress among students who could be doing other things.
I think it is a waste of time. Here’s why I think so.
Many students think homework is extremely boring and hard so it increases our stress levels. You might fight with your family or friends and that gives the impression you are angry and irritated when often it’s just because your homework is increasing your stress.
Also, a study by scholar Denise Pope at Stanford shows that out of 4,300 students at high-performance schools, 60% stated that their homework was their primary source of stress.
Movement is more important
I believe that homework eliminates time when you could be exercising, playing sports, carrying out hobbies, reading etc. So when your friends are playing outside or something exciting or important is happening you can’t go out because you’re stuck inside doing your homework.
Homework messes up your sleep cycles and it causes you to be more tired. After school when you’re tired from working you still have to do your homework, so you don’t deliver your full concentration and that makes your performance not as acceptable as it should be. This can cause your grade to go down and so that defeats the whole point of education to become better and smarter.
A study from teenink.com shows that students perform best in school when they receive 10–12 hours of sleep each night, while only 15% of teenagers in America reported themselves sleeping eight hours or more on school nights, according to the national sleep foundation of America. Sleep disruption is very bad for our health.
Teacher trust
If you’re completely booked up for the day doing sports or other activities you have no time to do your homework. Your teachers start to trust you less and less and this develops a bad view of you when it’s not entirely your fault.
It’s also repetitive so you’re doing the same work at school and there’s no effectiveness, it’s not going in. So all that homework becomes a waste because you have already completed it at school. You can also easily get distracted.
Homework takes away revision time for tests and that can affect the test scores. That develops a bad reputation for the student and for the school. The parents then assume that the teaching at the school is bad and they might move school. So the kid might lose friends and over time the school becomes less liked and popular.
All because there is too much homework.
Bad for the mood
If you don’t sleep enough it can cause mood swings which can affect students’ performance and relationships. To think we can stop all of this by just banning homework makes me wonder why schools still give out homework at all.
People who believe that homework should not be banned have reasonable points and arguments. They believe that doing homework at home can be better for the students and they would receive higher results.
They also think the parents of the students will have an idea of what type of work they are doing in the classroom, at what scale the student is doing their work and how the student is doing that work. There is absolutely no reason why parents shouldn’t know what the student’s work is like.
Some people believe that homework boosts interaction between a student and his or her teacher. Homework might develop their presentation skills. They believe that homework is “a remedy against weaknesses”. These can all be done at school. They believe it teaches the students responsibility because they have to make sure that they do their work and not lose it or destroy it.
They think the students learn much more new information as well as in school. So people think it teaches the students important life skills. They also think it keeps the students busy and entertained. I would argue that these should all be the responsibility of parents, not school.
A shift in the debate
The Green Party in Ireland has promised to explore the banning of homework for primary school children. They also vow to review primary and secondary schools curriculum “to meet the needs of the 21st century”. Catherine Martin, deputy leader of the Green Party, said that “the phasing out of homework is something that definitely should be explored”.
“This isn’t new, this has been on our policy for the past several years. And I think we really need to have a conversation on how best to develop the creative juices of our children, or really change how we do homework, homework could be, ‘go home and draw a picture of something that means a lot to you’,” she said.
“They’re so young, especially up to the age of seven or eight, it’s a conversation that we need to have”.
She used the example of Loreto Primary School in Rathfarnham, Dublin, which is currently trialling a “no-homework” programme for all classes except sixth. Ms Martin said that they had found the pilot scheme “amazing” and children were spending a lot more time with their families as a result.
Mental health considerations
Psychotherapist Mary McHugh believes that we are reducing children’s natural “curious, imaginative and creative” tendencies by “pressuring them to conform”.
“Our children from the age of three, are being trained to sit still and from five upwards, it’s expected that this is the norm.” McHugh also says that “stress is showing up at an alarming scale and we’re still applying more pressure academically younger and younger”.
Let’s look at Finland. In Finland, there is no homework in all schools. Finland agrees that there should be no homework because it increases stress, it wastes time etc. Finnish students regularly top the charts on global education metric systems.
Some 93% of Finnish students graduate from secondary school compared to 75% in the USA and 78% in Canada. About two in every three students in Finland go to college which is the highest rate in Europe. The students’ test scores dominate everyone else. These are the scores for the PISA test (Program for International Student Assessment) 2006. There are other reasons why Finland’s education system is so good but no homework is definitely an important one.
Homework increases stress levels among students. It replaces time for hobbies and sports. It messes up your sleep. It can’t always be done and that causes trouble. It’s repetitive. You can develop health problems from lack of sleep.
It takes away time for studying and also when you don’t get enough sleep you can get mood swings and that can affect performance and relationships. There are reasonable arguments for why people who believe that homework shouldn’t be banned are wrong.
We have seen that the Green Party also thinks that homework should be banned and that some schools have already trialled it. We have looked at Finland banning homework and we have seen the impact it has made compared to other countries. This is why I think homework should be banned, not just in my school but in all schools.
Misha McEnaney is a fifth class student at St Mary’s College, Rathmines, Dublin.
Making a difference
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation..
For the price of one cup of coffee each week you can make sure we can keep reliable, meaningful news open to everyone regardless of their ability to pay.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
600px wide <iframe width="600" height="460" frameborder="0" style="border:0px;" src="https://www.thejournal.ie/https://www.thejournal.ie/readme/homework-5086000-May2020/?embedpost=5086000&width=600&height=460" ></iframe>
400px wide <iframe width="600" height="460" frameborder="0" style="border:0px;" src="https://www.thejournal.ie/https://www.thejournal.ie/readme/homework-5086000-May2020/?embedpost=5086000&width=400&height=460" ></iframe>
300px wide <iframe width="600" height="460" frameborder="0" style="border:0px;" src="https://www.thejournal.ie/https://www.thejournal.ie/readme/homework-5086000-May2020/?embedpost=5086000&width=300&height=460" ></iframe>
Create an email alert based on the current article
- Travel + Fun
- About HerFamily
- Terms & Conditions
- Privacy Statement
- Advertise With Us
- User Generated Content
- Lovin Dublin
14th Mar 2023
Pupils and parents call on government to introduce homework ban
Kat O'Connor
Is it time to ban homework in Ireland?
Parents and pupils are calling on Minister for Education Norma Foley to ban homework in Ireland.
Many parents have voiced their concerns about the level of homework their kids get, but they’re taking it a step further by writing to the Education Minister.
Foley has received multiple letters from both children and parents about why a homework ban is needed.
According to The Irish Examiner , children revealed that homework is having a negative impact on their lives outside of school.
Many pupils believe they do enough work in school and stressed that there is little benefit to spending hours doing homework in the evenings.
One child wrote;
“I do not ask for homework to be completely banned but for it to be reduced to a certain limit. Otherwise, if there is a constant build-up of homework daily, it can cause stress and even a lack of exercise which will affect a person’s well-being.”
Many children told Foley that homework was “a waste of time”. Others said it was a “burden to parents, kids, and teachers.”
Varadkar said homework should not be banned completely
Both Leo Varadkar and Michael D. Higgins have expressed concerns about the amount of homework children are getting in Ireland.
However, Varadkar does not believe in a complete ban on homework.
He previously said there’s a place for homework in our education system, but we need to have a fair balance.
“You could have a long day in class, get home in the early evening, and then face, you know, three hours of homework.
“I remember that when I was a kid, staying up very late to do homework,” he shared.
Varadkar stressed that it shouldn’t be banned completely, but scaled back.
President Higgins also voiced his concerns about homework
The President of Ireland agreed with parents and said children should have more free time after school.
He told RTÉ’s news2day: “I think myself, really that the time at home and the time in school is an educational experience and it should get finished at the school and people should be able to use their time for other creative things.”
Do you think homework should be banned in Ireland?
Related Links:
Parents call for homework to be banned in ireland, varadkar agrees that children are getting too much homework, foley responds to homework ban calls and parents are furious, related articles.
5 things you shouldn’t pack in your child’s lunch box
By Anna Martin
Mum who admits to doing children’s homework for them draws criticism
By Jody Coffey
‘My son’s nose was broken in school and they didn’t call me about it’
By Kat O'Connor
MORE FROM HerFamily
Mum shocked after receiving complaint note about baby’s crying
By HerFamily
Why you need to pay attention to the expiration date on your child’s car seat
expert advice
How to prepare your toddler, school-age children and teens for a new arrival
By Sophie Collins
Is my teen suffering with anxiety? Here are the signs to look out for
Nikki Jurcutz
Paramedic issues warning and safety advice for nut butters
‘How should I respond to my mother-in-law who says I should let my baby self soothe himself to sleep?’
Is Bluey coming to an end? The latest episode has parents worried
back to school
Mum pulls daughter out of nursery due to staff hugging her
celeb babies
Henry Cavill is expecting first child with girlfriend Natalie Viscuso
Dad sparks debate for telling son to ‘man up’ after seeing him crying
laura anderson
‘It’s not just me’ — Laura Anderson opens up about being a single mum
Ashlee Good
Family pay emotional tribute to mum who died saving baby’s life in Sydney attack
Sponsored stories.
Penneys announces price drop on kids’ summer clothes and accessories
‘Treated like criminals’ — Calls for urgent reform of abortion services in Ireland
Bláthnaid Treacy
Bláthnaid Treacy returned to work seven weeks after giving birth because she ‘had to’
The wooden spoon trick hailed by Molly-Mae for helping Bambi reach milestone
intelligence
People with messy houses are smarter, according to science
Check out the latest episode of our interview podcast, Unfiltered
Subscribe free:
Why homework has merit and can be a force for good
The brouhaha about the need to abolish school homework, as if it was a recently invented form of cruelty to children, needs perspective and reasoned discussion.
Homework is an important bridge between school and the home. It allows parents to be part of a child’s educational journey and to contribute in a meaningful way.
I come, not to bury homework, but to praise it.
Recent discussions about cancelling homework for good seem to be focused almost entirely on the needs of time-poor parents, rather than the benefits to students.
In spite of the protestations that schoolwork – set by teachers to complement classroom learning – must be abolished with immediate effect, the facts are that there are myriad benefits accruing to your child from homework that we should not lose sight of.
Painting homework as the enemy of busy children misses the bigger and more nuanced picture. The idea that it should be cancelled outright seems like a knee-jerk reaction to what amounts to a modern family time-management issue. And it must be noted that generations of children have survived the imposition of homework, and many have even thrived.
‘Ireland is a country of people who are very friendly, no shooting’
Fintan O'Toole: We are facing the terrifying result of the West’s three stupid mistakes in the Middle East
The Bookshelf: Ryan Tubridy’s new podcast may be the best vehicle to date for this one-time Jack of all RTÉ
Annuities or ARFs: what’s the correct decision?
This line of thinking also misses the whole purpose of home-based assignments.
Homework is an important bridge between school and the home. It allows parents to be part of a child’s educational journey and to contribute in a meaningful way. It keeps the channels of communication about what happens in school open, an important consideration.
[ Homework: ‘If educators saw the stress it causes, they would be horrified’ ]
To suggest that a broad array of extracurricular activities should take precedence entirely over home-based school work is misguided at best. It also sidesteps the fact that many children in homes where money is too tight to mention will be the biggest losers here, as they won’t be spending their time being ferried from one draughty hall to another for ballet or tai chi lessons.
Comparing attending school to going to work as an adult misses the point by a country mile, and amounts to an erroneous justification for such a move. Education is a lifelong journey. If you demonise homework you are giving a child the message that schoolwork/learning is a negative thing. Learning is a wonderful thing. That’s a really worthwhile message to pass on to your children.
However, that is not to say that there is, or at least should be, an optimum amount of work set by a teacher that is age-dependent. If you haven’t 20-30 minutes to spare with your smallie, then the issue is a lifestyle one set up by you, rather than the school one. I am perplexed by parents who believe that their child’s formal education is solely the remit of the school. There is only so much one teacher with up to 30 pupils in a class can do. Issues with a child’s ability to learn will likely be picked up faster on a one-to-one basis at home rather than in a busy classroom.
[ How homework can help children feel happier ]
Conversely, if you have a very fast learner, you can encourage them to do more to ensure they don’t get bored and lose interest.
Additionally, homework tasks can allow the parent to expand the content to include other ideas and different content. Homework also teaches your child the importance of beginning and finishing a task, a worthwhile life skill.
As a parent I have enjoyed being part of my child’s learning journey. I have fond memories of a little head at the kitchen table calling out “Mum” followed by questions about the meaning or spelling of a word. “Why is the sky blue” stands out vividly as a taxing question that we both had fun establishing the facts for, compliments of Mr Google.
Learning can be fun and that is an important message for parents to give their children. Parents are key educators too. The importance of a visit to the local library and the luxury of time to read a book is arguably more beneficial to a child than contorting their fingers around the neck of a violin. Time to stop, to think and just to be is underrated in modern life, where being busy all the time is considered desirable.
That being said, I think some reworking of homework is overdue. The tedium of completing workbooks being a case in point. Teachers should be encouraged to set stimulating and more creative tasks as homework also. The very idea of written wellbeing homework is faintly ridiculous. It doesn’t take a genius to say “Homework this evening is to dance for 15 minutes to your favourite music.”
[ Why do parents allow children to continue doing homework when they can just opt them out? ]
The proliferation of after-school activities is also an undoubted indicator of affluence. You would need to ask why one fairly small child needs to attend ballet, violin, swimming, piano, GAA, chess, martial arts, drama, art, French and the rest. Bragging rights for parents shouldn’t form part of the equation, but they often do.
If homework is abolished in primary schools, as sure as night follows day, it will also be dropped at second level too. Given that the Irish examination system is a written one – with many subjects based on essay-style answers – the inability to write well and succinctly will be an impediment to success. Practice does make perfect.
Traditionally, teachers work fewer hours to compensate for time spent correcting homework. There is nothing to stop any parent dropping a note to the teacher to say that no homework was completed last night as we were otherwise engaged.
The bottom line here is that if extracurricular activities are preventing your child from doing homework, the issue is perhaps the out-of-school schedule rather than the homework.
IN THIS SECTION
What toddlers can teach the rest of us about wellbeing, how to advocate for and empower your neurodivergent child, jen hogan: like their children, parents learn new things every single day, preparing for periods: how to support girls with additional needs, dermot bannon: ‘all three kids were born during the room to improve time. obviously, there’s sacrifices’, retired shop assistant hit for €74,727 excise bill for unmarked diesel, gifting to your children make sure you don’t leave them with a big tax bill, judge labels eir a ‘disgrace’ after court heard customer service manuals warned staff not to obey law, financial and housing pressures taking toll on under 30s, research finds, o’gara’s role as pantomime villain added further fuel to leinster fire, significant traffic disruption in dublin following luas crash, is it better to buy an electric car now or to wait conor pope and michael mcaleer debate the options, latest stories, israeli forces vow response to iran’s attack despite calls for restraint, dpp suspects €6m in property and cash may be linked to michael lynn’s €80m bank theft, court told, wider middle east conflict could re-ignite inflationary crisis, imf warns, three former aryzta executives join ex ceo in suing bakery group, superdry proposes delisting and sweeping restructuring to stay afloat.
- Terms & Conditions
- Privacy Policy
- Cookie Information
- Cookie Settings
- Community Standards
President Michael D Higgins says homework should be banned in Ireland
President Michael D Higgins has called for homework to be banned.
The country’s favourite leader has given hope to a new generation of students that the bane of their afterschool evenings could be scrapped. President Higgins argues that this would make time for young people to engage in more creative pursuits outside school hours.
The former Arts Minister believes that school activities should end at the school gate. He was speaking to RTE’s news2day current affairs and news programme for children on the occasion of the programme’s 20th birthday.
Read more: Children being 'corrupted' by drug dealing situation in Oliver Bond flats, Dail told
When asked what his opinion of homework President Higgins said: “I think myself, really that the time at home, and the time in the school is an educational experience and it should get finished at the school and people should be able to use their time for other creative things.”
To mark the show’s two decades on air, students from St Kevin’s National School, Littleton, County Tipperary put questions from RTÉ news2day viewers to President Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin. In a wide-ranging interview, the children asked the President questions like, what was your favourite sport when you were in school?
When you were nine years old what did you want to be? And when did you decide you wanted to be President?
The students also asked the President about his dogs, his official trips abroad, his favourite subject in school, differences between now and when he was a child and his favourite book. The President also spoke to the children about his love of handball and the importance of friendship in their lives.
RTÉ news2day will broadcast some of the President’s interview as part of Friday afternoon’s birthday celebrations at 4.20pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ News channel and the full interview will be available later on Friday evening on the RTÉ Player. In a message to the children of Ireland and the viewers of RTÉ news2day, President Michael D. Higgins gave this advice: “To stay curious about everything and I think it’s important to make sure you don’t miss the joy of sharing information.
“And I think an important thing is friendship and to make sure that there’s no one left without friendship and that people belong. And we will all do individual things... but I think friendships that you make will in fact always be great memories and that is so important. And also have the courage to stand your own ground and let other children be allowed the space of standing their ground too because none of us are the same.
“We’re all unique but at the same time we have a lot going for us.” President Higgins also encouraged the children of Ireland to speak the Irish language.
He encouraged them to speak Irish in a fun way and to feel free to use whatever bits of the language that they have.
Phone analysis expert says 'nothing to suggest' Jonathan Dowdall in park on alleged 'confession' date
Dermot Bannon says latest season of Room To Improve 'nearly killed him'
RTE Late Late Show viewers hail 'fantastic' Nell Mescal on singing debut
Temperatures soar across Dublin despite forecast of dreary weather
Gardai appeal for help in locating missing Dublin pensioner
Sign up to the Dublin Live Newsletter to get all the latest Dublin news straight to your inbox.
- Work & Careers
- Life & Arts
Become an FT subscriber
Try unlimited access Only $1 for 4 weeks
Then $75 per month. Complete digital access to quality FT journalism on any device. Cancel anytime during your trial.
- Global news & analysis
- Expert opinion
- Special features
- FirstFT newsletter
- Videos & Podcasts
- Android & iOS app
- FT Edit app
- 10 gift articles per month
Explore more offers.
Standard digital.
- FT Digital Edition
Premium Digital
Print + premium digital, digital standard + weekend, digital premium + weekend.
Today's FT newspaper for easy reading on any device. This does not include ft.com or FT App access.
- 10 additional gift articles per month
- Global news & analysis
- Exclusive FT analysis
- Videos & Podcasts
- FT App on Android & iOS
- Everything in Standard Digital
- Premium newsletters
- Weekday Print Edition
- FT Weekend newspaper delivered Saturday plus standard digital access
- FT Weekend Print edition
- FT Weekend Digital edition
- FT Weekend newspaper delivered Saturday plus complete digital access
- Everything in Preimum Digital
Essential digital access to quality FT journalism on any device. Pay a year upfront and save 20%.
- Everything in Print
- Everything in Premium Digital
Complete digital access to quality FT journalism with expert analysis from industry leaders. Pay a year upfront and save 20%.
Terms & Conditions apply
Explore our full range of subscriptions.
Why the ft.
See why over a million readers pay to read the Financial Times.
International Edition
- Election 2024
- Entertainment
- Newsletters
- Photography
- Personal Finance
- AP Investigations
- AP Buyline Personal Finance
- Press Releases
- Israel-Hamas War
- Russia-Ukraine War
- Global elections
- Asia Pacific
- Latin America
- Middle East
- Election Results
- Delegate Tracker
- AP & Elections
- March Madness
- AP Top 25 Poll
- Movie reviews
- Book reviews
- Personal finance
- Financial Markets
- Business Highlights
- Financial wellness
- Artificial Intelligence
- Social Media
Poland’s kids rejoice over new rules against homework. Teachers and parents aren’t so sure
Ola Kozak, 11, sits at the table where she used to do her homework at the family home in Warsaw, Poland, Friday April 5, 2024. Ola is happy that Poland’s government has ordered strict limits on the amount of homework that teachers can impose on the lower grades, starting in April. Julian enjoyed doing his homework. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)
Arkadiusz Korporowicz teaches history to 5th grade children at Primary School number 223 in Warsaw, Poland, Wednesday April 3, 2024. Poland’s government has ordered strict limits on the amount of homework that teachers can impose on the lower grades, starting in April. in Warsaw, Poland, Wednesday April 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)
Pawel Kozak and his wife Magda Kozak, parents of three, stand at their home in Warsaw, Poland, Friday, April 5, 2024. They have different opinions on the decision by Poland’s government that ordered strict limits on the amount of homework that teachers can impose on the lower grades, starting in April. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)
Children enter a classroom at the Primary School number 223 in Warsaw, Poland, Wednesday April 3, 2024. Poland’s government has ordered strict limits on the amount of homework that teachers can impose on the lower grades, starting in April. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)
Julian Kozak, 9, sits at the table where he used to do his homework at the family home in Warsaw, Poland, on Friday April 5, 2024. Julian is not very happy that Poland’s government has ordered strict limits on the amount of homework that teachers can impose on the lower grades, starting in April. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)
Ola Kozak, 11, right, and her younger brother Julian Kozak, 9, sit at the table where they used to do their homework at the family home in Warsaw, Poland, Friday April 5, 2024. Ola is happy that Poland’s government has ordered strict limits on the amount of homework that teachers can impose on the lower grades, starting in April. Julian enjoyed doing his homework. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)
Poland’s Education Minister Barbara Nowacka announces restrictions on the amount of homework for primary school children, at school number 223 in Warsaw, Poland, Wednesday April 3, 2024. Opinions are divided on what results can be expected from the strict limits on the amount of homework that teachers can impose on the lower grades, starting in April. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)
Pawel Kozak, father of three, speaks at his home in Warsaw, Poland, Friday, April 5, 2024. Pawel and her wife Magda have different opinions on the decision by Poland’s government that ordered strict limits on the amount of homework that teachers can impose on the lower grades, starting in April. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)
Magda Kozak, mother of three, stands at her home in Warsaw, Poland, Friday, April 5, 2024. Magda and her husband Pawel have different opinions on the decision by Poland’s government that ordered strict limits on the amount of homework that teachers can impose on the lower grades, starting in April. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)
Julian Kozak, 9, sits at the table where he used to do his homework at the family home in Warsaw, Poland, Friday, April 5, 2024. Julian is not very happy that Poland’s government has ordered strict limits on the amount of homework that teachers can impose on the lower grades, starting in April. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)
Magda Kozak, right, spends time with her son Julian, 9, at their home in Warsaw, Poland, Friday, April 5, 2024. Neither of them is happy that starting in April, Poland’s government has ordered strict limits on the amount of homework that teachers can impose on the lower grades. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)
Children walk in the corridor of Primary School number 223 in Warsaw, Poland, Wednesday April 3, 2024. Poland’s government has ordered strict limits on the amount of homework that teachers can impose on the lower grades, starting in April. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)
Children with flowers wait for the arrival of Education Minister Barbara Nowacka at Primary School number 223 in Warsaw, Poland, Wednesday April 3, 2024. Poland’s government has ordered strict limits on the amount of homework that teachers can impose on the lower grades, starting in April. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)
Julian Kozak, 9, plays with his cat at their home in Warsaw, Poland, Friday, April 5, 2024. Starting in April, Poland’s government has ordered strict limits on the amount of homework that teachers can impose on the lower grades. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)
- Copy Link copied
WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Ola Kozak is celebrating. The 11-year-old, who loves music and drawing, expects to have more free time for her hobbies after Poland’s government ordered strict limits on the amount of homework in the lower grades.
“I am happy,” said the fifth grader, who lives in a Warsaw suburb with her parents and younger siblings. The lilac-colored walls in her bedroom are covered in her art, and on her desk she keeps a framed picture she drew of Kurt Cobain.
“Most people in my class in the morning would copy the work off someone who had done the homework or would copy it from the internet. So it didn’t make sense,” she said.
The government of Prime Minister Donald Tusk enacted the ban against required homework this month amid a broad discussion about the need to modernize Poland’s education system, which critics say puts too much emphasis on rote learning and homework, and not enough on critical thinking and creativity.
Under the decree, teachers are no longer to give required homework to kids in the first to third grades. In grades four to eight, homework is now optional and doesn’t count towards a grade.
Not everyone likes the change – and even Ola’s parents are divided.
“If there is something that will make students enjoy school more, then it will probably be good both for the students and for the school,” said her father, Pawel Kozak.
His wife, Magda Kozak, was skeptical. “I am not pleased, because (homework) is a way to consolidate what was learned,” she said. “It helps stay on top of what the child has really learned and what’s going on at school.”
(Ola’s brother Julian, a third grader, says he sees both sides.)
Debates over the proper amount of homework are common around the globe. While some studies have shown little benefit to homework for young learners, other experts say it can help them learn how to develop study habits and academic concepts.
Poland’s educational system has undergone a number of controversial overhauls. Almost every new government has tried to make changes — something many teachers and parents say has left them confused and discouraged. For example, after communism was thrown off, middle schools were introduced. Then under the last government, the previous system was brought back. More controversy came in recent years when ultra-conservative views were pushed in new textbooks.
For years, teachers have been fleeing the system due to low wages and political pressure. The current government is trying to increase teacher salaries and has promised other changes that teachers approve of.
But Sławomir Broniarz, the head of the Polish Teachers’ Union, said that while he recognized the need to ease burdens on students, the new homework rules are another case of change imposed from above without adequate consultation with educators.
“In general, the teachers think that this happened too quickly, too hastily,” he said.
He argued that removing homework could widen the educational gaps between kids who have strong support at home and those from poorer families with less support and lower expectations. Instead, he urged wider changes to the entire curriculum.
The homework rules gained impetus in the runup to parliamentary elections last year, when a 14-year-old boy, Maciek Matuszewski, stood up at a campaign rally and told Tusk before a national audience that children “had no time to rest.” The boy said their rights were being violated with so much homework on weekends and so many tests on Mondays.
Tusk has since featured Matuszewski in social media videos and made him the face of the sudden change.
Education Minister Barbara Nowacka said she was prompted by research on children’s mental health. Of the various stresses children face, she said, “the one that could be removed fastest was the burden of homework.”
Pasi Sahlberg, a prominent Finnish educator and author, said the value of homework depends on what it is and how it is linked to overall learning. The need for homework can be “very individual and contextual.”
“We need to trust our teachers to decide what is good for each child,” Sahlberg said.
In South Korea, homework limits were set for elementary schools in 2017 amid concerns that kids were under too much pressure. However, teenagers in the education-obsessed country often cram long into the night and get tutoring to meet the requirements of demanding school and university admission tests.
In the U.S., teachers and parents decide for themselves how much homework to assign. Some elementary schools have done away with homework entirely to give children more time to play, participate in activities and spend time with families.
A guideline circulated by teachers unions in the U.S. recommends about 10 minutes of homework per grade. So, 10 minutes in first grade, 20 minutes in second grade and so on.
The COVID-19 pandemic and a crisis around youth mental health have complicated debates around homework. In the U.S., extended school closures in some places were accompanied by steep losses in learning , which were often addressed with tutoring and other interventions paid for with federal pandemic relief money. At the same time, increased attention to student wellbeing led some teachers to consider alternate approaches including reduced or optional homework.
It’s important for children to learn that mastering something “usually requires practice, a lot of practice,” said Sahlberg, in Finland. If reducing homework leads kids and parents to think school expectations for excellence will be lowered, “things will go wrong.”
AP writers Jan M. Olsen in Copenhagen, Denmark, Michael Melia in Hartford, Connecticut, and Hyung-jin Kim in Seoul, South Korea, contributed.
Poland’s children rejoice as homework is banned. The rest of the world watches on for results
O la Kozak is celebrating. The 11-year-old, who loves music and drawing, expects to have more free time for her hobbies after Poland ’s government ordered strict limits on the amount of homework in the lower grades.
“I am happy,” said the fifth grader, who lives in a Warsaw suburb with her parents and younger siblings. The lilac-colored walls in her bedroom are covered in her art, and on her desk she keeps a framed picture she drew of Kurt Cobain.
“Most people in my class in the morning would copy the work off someone who had done the homework or would copy it from the internet. So it didn’t make sense,” she said.
The government of Prime Minister Donald Tusk enacted the ban against required homework this month amid a broad discussion about the need to modernise Poland's education system, which critics say puts too much emphasis on rote learning and homework, and not enough on critical thinking and creativity.
Under the decree, teachers are no longer to give required homework to kids in the first to third grades. In grades four to eight, homework is now optional and doesn't count towards a grade.
Not everyone likes the change – and even Ola’s parents are divided.
“If there is something that will make students enjoy school more, then it will probably be good both for the students and for the school,” said her father, Pawel Kozak.
His wife, Magda Kozak, was skeptical. “I am not pleased, because (homework) is a way to consolidate what was learned,” she said. “It helps stay on top of what the child has really learned and what’s going on at school.”
(Ola's brother Julian, a third grader, says he sees both sides.)
Debates over the proper amount of homework are common around the globe. While some studies have shown little benefit to homework for young learners, other experts say it can help them learn how to develop study habits and academic concepts.
The rest of the world will be watching Poland’s results closely.
Poland's educational system has undergone a number of controversial overhauls. Almost every new government has tried to make changes — something many teachers and parents say has left them confused and discouraged. For example, after communism was thrown off, middle schools were introduced. Then under the last government, the previous system was brought back. More controversy came in recent years when ultra-conservative views were pushed in new textbooks.
For years, teachers have been fleeing the system due to low wages and political pressure. The current government is trying to increase teacher salaries and has promised other changes that teachers approve of.
But Sławomir Broniarz, the head of the Polish Teachers' Union, said that while he recognized the need to ease burdens on students, the new homework rules are another case of change imposed from above without adequate consultation with educators.
“In general, the teachers think that this happened too quickly, too hastily,” he said.
He argued that removing homework could widen the educational gaps between kids who have strong support at home and those from poorer families with less support and lower expectations. Instead, he urged wider changes to the entire curriculum.
The homework rules gained impetus in the runup to parliamentary elections last year, when a 14-year-old boy, Maciek Matuszewski, stood up at a campaign rally and told Tusk before a national audience that children “had no time to rest.” The boy said their rights were being violated with so much homework on weekends and so many tests on Mondays.
Tusk has since featured Matuszewski in social media videos and made him the face of the sudden change.
Education Minister Barbara Nowacka said she was prompted by research on children’s mental health. Of the various stresses children face, she said, "the one that could be removed fastest was the burden of homework.”
Pasi Sahlberg, a prominent Finnish educator and author, said the value of homework depends on what it is and how it is linked to overall learning. The need for homework can be “very individual and contextual.”
“We need to trust our teachers to decide what is good for each child,” Sahlberg said.
In South Korea, homework limits were set for elementary schools in 2017 amid concerns that kids were under too much pressure. However, teenagers in the education-obsessed country often cram long into the night and get tutoring to meet the requirements of demanding school and university admission tests.
In the US, teachers and parents decide for themselves how much homework to assign. Some elementary schools have done away with homework entirely to give children more time to play, participate in activities and spend time with families.
A guideline circulated by teachers unions in the US recommends about 10 minutes of homework per grade. So, 10 minutes in first grade, 20 minutes in second grade and so on.
The COVID-19 pandemic and a crisis around youth mental health have complicated debates around homework. In the US, extended school closures in some places were accompanied by steep losses in learning, which were often addressed with tutoring and other interventions paid for with federal pandemic relief money. At the same time, increased attention to student wellbeing led some teachers to consider alternate approaches including reduced or optional homework.
It's important for children to learn that mastering something "usually requires practice, a lot of practice,” said Sahlberg, in Finland. If reducing homework leads kids and parents to think school expectations for excellence will be lowered, “things will go wrong.”
The Independent is the world’s most free-thinking news brand, providing global news, commentary and analysis for the independently-minded. We have grown a huge, global readership of independently minded individuals, who value our trusted voice and commitment to positive change. Our mission, making change happen, has never been as important as it is today.
IMAGES
COMMENTS
President Michael D Higgins (Image: Niall Carson/PA Wire) President Michal D Higgins has called for homework to be banned. The country's favourite leader has given hope to a new generation of ...
Schools should strive not to give pupils homework where possible, the president of Ireland has suggested.. In an utterance likely to be seized upon by children for years to come, in classrooms far ...
President Michael D Higgins (Image: Collins) President Michael D Higgins has called for homework to be banned. The country's favourite leader has given hope to a new generation of students that ...
Read More: President Higgins calls for homework to be banned in Ireland. We asked "Should homework be banned?", which was answered with a 98% majority, Yes. In a landslide decision, 57,440 readers ...
President Higgins has ignited a national conversation about homework. Simon Lewis, a primary school principal in Carlow, debates the issue with Chris Donnelly, a principal in Belfast.
President Michael D Higgins Bloody Sunday speech 2022. President of Ireland Michael D Higgins has said he supports the scrapping of homework. He addressed students of St Kevin's National School, Littleton, Co Tipperary, this week in an episode of RTE's news2day programme. The President said that schoolwork should be completed in school time so ...
President of Ireland Michael D Higgins during the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition 2023 at the RDS, ... President Michael D Higgins has called for homework to be banned. End of homework .
Ireland's president has suggested that schools should avoid assigning children homework, leaving school at the gates. Michael D Higgins shared his beliefs on the matter during a sit down with ...
Mr Higgins weighed on the homework debate while speaking to pupils from St Kevin's National School, Littleton, Co Tipperary on a special, 20th anniversary, episode of RTÉ's news2day programme.
Kids — and certain presidents. In an impassioned plea to the people of his nation, President Michael D. Higgins has called for a ban on homework across Ireland. And if small children were given ...
Ken Foxe. School children and parents pleaded with the Minister for Education Norma Foley to step in and introduce a homework ban. In letters to the minister, kids wrote about how they were being ...
In a recent poll, it was revealed that Irish Mirror readers were overwhelmingly in favour of banning homework, with 98 per cent of readers voting in favour of a ban.
President of Ireland calls for ban on school homework - should all forms of school work stay in school? He has said that it would make time for young people to engage in more creative pursuits.
It comes days after President Higgins' call for homework to be banned at home and for all work to stay in the classroom. Irish Mirror readers were also overwhelmingly in favour of banning ...
Pushes for education beyond the classroom, emphasizes language learning and self-expression.. January 24, 2023 - Ireland's President Michael Higgins is calling for an end to homework.. When pressed on his views during an interview with RTE's news2day - a current affairs and news program for children, Higgins said: "I think myself, really that the time at home, and the time in the ...
OUR PRESIDENT MICHAEL D Higgins recently made headlines when he called for homework to be banned in Ireland, saying "People should be able to use their time for other creative things".
President Michal D Higgins has called for homework to be banned.The country's favourite leader has given hope to a new generation of students that the bane o...
The President of Ireland has made his thoughts known about homework, saying it should be left at the gate and children should be able to use their leisure time for "creative things". Speaking to RTE's news2day - a current affairs and news programme for children, Michael D Higgins answered questions on a wide range of topics, the Irish Mirror ...
This year, the Green Party sought to open a discussion about the banning of homework in future. Here, primary school pupil Misha McEnaney, a fifth class student from Dublin, outlines why he ...
Foley has received multiple letters from both children and parents about why a homework ban is needed. According to The Irish Examiner, children revealed that homework is having a negative impact on their lives outside of school.. Many pupils believe they do enough work in school and stressed that there is little benefit to spending hours doing homework in the evenings.
Homework is an important bridge between school and the home. It allows parents to be part of a child's educational journey and to contribute in a meaningful way. I come, not to bury homework ...
President Michael D Higgins says homework should be banned in Ireland. President Michael D Higgins has called for homework to be banned. The country's favourite leader has given hope to a new generation of students that the bane of their afterschool evenings could be scrapped. President Higgins argues that this would make time for young ...
National Homework Ban for April 12, declares Taoiseach. In his most pressing interview to date, when questioned by 9 year old Dean Aherne about the abolition of homework, An Taoiseach Micheál Martin declared: "On Monday, April 12, there will be no homework, and that's for the whole country.". This is the first time ever such an event has ...
Well primary school children Poland don't have to do it anymore after the government there banned it. Under the new rules, teachers can't give out compulsory homework (homework you have to do) to ...
The homework ban ignores this, he says. Tomasz Gajderowicz from Poland's Educational Research Institute, which is supervised by the education ministry, stresses that "the regulation is not a ...
The government of Prime Minister Donald Tusk enacted the ban against required homework this month amid a broad discussion about the need to modernize Poland's education system, ... The homework rules gained impetus in the runup to parliamentary elections last year, when a 14-year-old boy, Maciek Matuszewski, stood up at a campaign rally and ...
Ola Kozak is celebrating. The 11-year-old, who loves music and drawing, expects to have more free time for her hobbies after Poland 's government ordered strict limits on the amount of homework ...
The Polish government has introduced strict limits on the amount of homework pupils must do in a bid to modernise the education system. But some parents and teachers aren't convinced by the changes.