no homework in ireland secondary school

President Michael D Higgins calls for homework to be banned in Ireland

The country’s favourite leader has given hope to a new generation of students that the bane of their afterschool evenings could be scrapped.

• 13:32, 20 JAN 2023
• Updated 14:54, 20 JAN 2023

President Michal D Higgins has called for homework to be banned.

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.

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.

Tributes flood in after sudden death of Dublin barman Jamie Boud at 21

Met Eireann issue new warning as bitterly cold front brings more snow before major U-turn

'He text me about show' - Operation Transformation leader friend dies suddenly

TD Holly Cairns installs CCTV at her home after stalker left her 'terrified'

Galway farmer accused of murdering aunt by driving over her in tractor

Get breaking news to your inbox by signing up to our newsletter

• Met Eireann
• 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

Find out more about fertility, baby names & all things parenting...

Michael d higgins calls for no homework policy in ireland.

• // January 27, 2023

As a kid or a parent, everyone can recall the joy of a no homework Friday – the freedom, the brain space, and the endless possibilities the evening brought. Now, the President of Ireland Michael D Higgins wants every day to be a no homework Friday.

As a parent, you may have regular battles with your children about completing their homework, and having been there, and done that yourself, sometimes you can actually relate to the feeling of dread when a pile of work is on the agenda for the evening in each and every subject.

People Of Ireland googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display("RC_Mobile_MPU_TOP"); }); Great News For Children & Teenagers All Schools Will Be Giving No Homework Michael D Higgins Was Interviewed About Homework and He Said: Homework Should Not Be Given Children Should Have More Time At Home For Their Activities. #Ireland #BANNED #Homework pic.twitter.com/5zkMldad3e — 🇮🇪𝔼𝕍𝔸ℕ🇮🇪 (@EvanTheIrishMan) January 22, 2023 googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display("RC_Mobile_Interscroller"); });

RELATED: Classes, activities, homework and more – Is your child over-scheduled?

Your child (or once upon a time, yourself) may advocate for no homework and label it as “unfair” and the truth is – they may be right according to the President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins!

The beloved Irish President and former Minister for Arts Michael D Higgins has stated that he believes homework should be scrapped in favour of more artistic, innovative, and passionate pursuits. He explains that time at home and time at school should be separated.

In a radio appearance for RTE ’s news2day current affairs and news programme for children, the President was quizzed by children about his feelings on homework, and advocating for children and a no homework policy Michael D says, “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”.

RELATED: Do you struggle with your child’s homework?

He also offered some sage (and very sweet) advice to the children of Ireland, sharing the importance of curiosity and friendship, “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”.

He elaborated by saying that he thinks we should include people and allow people to just be themselves, “We’re all unique but at the same time we have a lot going for us”. Naturally, he also encouraged everyone to continue speaking our native language!

Share your thoughts on this story or any other on our discussion boards .

Listen to our parenting podcast

Share this article

Find out more about

Minister for Children open to investigating child protection system in wake of Kyran Durnin case

Doireann and Paddy Andrews celebrate son Hugo’s first birthday with a ‘wild’ theme

Rosanna Davison reminisces on first Halloween as a family of five

Ireland’s Fittest Family postponed following death of contestant

Jess Redden joins forces with her mum for new campaign to empower women

Corrie star Ryan Thomas throws lavish 16th birthday party for daughter Scarlett

Pregnant Gisele Bündchen excited to welcome new baby in a home birth with new partner

PICS: Scary stars look unrecognisable as they dress up for spooky season

Join the forum, fertility >>, mums 2 be groups >>, pregnancy >>, pressure mounts on tusla as tragic kyran is one of 53 children who died on their watch in 3 years, ‘we’re that family’ cecelia ahern’s clan are like excited ‘spies’ when her books hit the shelves, doireann garrihy reveals honest mum-fashion tip she gave big sister aoibhín.

Check your breasts! Knowing these eight signs and symptoms of breast cancer could help save your life

To celebrate the release of Raya and The Last Dragon on Disney+, you can win €50 One For All Voucher!

Liam and Billy, Isabel and Elizabeth: Names that are actually the same name

New figures show 142 more children have become homeless

Sign up now.

Family Breaks

Book Your Break

Follow @rollercoaster.ie on instagram, follow @rollercoaster.ie.

Five questions every parent should ask to get the most out of a parent/teacher meeting

Everything to know as more than 72,000 students receive Junior Cert results

This is when the October mid-term break is for Irish schools

For the ups & downs of pregnancy & parenting, babies & newborns, discussions, family life, news & entertainment.

Products & Services

Childcare Adverts

About RollerCoaster

Sampling & survey panel, terms & conditions, privacy policy, house rules, press council, news brands, promotion rules, brand safety, advertising t&cs, © 2024 all rights reserved rollercoaster.ie.

All Fertility

Preparing for Pregnancy

Fertility Treatment

Male Fertility

Birth Control

Fertility Discussions

All Pregnancy

Week 1 through 40

Health & Wellbeing

Labour & Birth

Hospital Bag

Pregnancy Products

Maternity Style

Baby Skin Solutions

Baby Name Generator

Baby Name Search

The First Year

Baby Products

Breastfeeding

Weaning & Feeding

School Children

Tweens & Teens

Creche & Childcare

Schools & Education

School Calendar

Activities & Events

Recipes & Nutrition

Health & Mental Health

Family Holidays & Travel

Adoption & Fostering

Just for Dad

No Stupid Questions

All Lifestyle

Entertainment

Beauty & Style

Competitions

Mums Mean Business

Mums Stories

President Michael D Higgins says he doesn't think children should have homework

In a wide-ranging interview with irish children, the president was asked for his thoughts on homework.

• 15:35, 20 JAN 2023
• Updated 11:44, 20 APR 2023

Stay on top of the latest issues at home and abroad by signing up to our FREE daily newsletter

We have more newsletters

President Michael D Higgins has called for homework to be banned.

End of homework

Higgins has suggested that school activities should end at the school gates.

A smile is likely to have cross children and teenagers' faces after the president of Ireland suggested that homework should be scrapped.

Higgins argued that getting rid of homework would allow young people more time to engage in creative pursuits outside of school hours.

Speaking on RTÉ's news2day programme for the occasion of its 20th anniversary, children were able to put questions to Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin.

Higgins was asked about his opinion on homework.

The president replied: "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."

This isn't the first time a political leader has sought to curry favour with future voters.

In March 2022, when then-Taoiseach Micheál Martin was isolating in the US during his St Patrick's Day visit, told the children of Ireland that they could have the day off homework if they did a kind deed.

Other questions for President Higgins

Other questions that the children asked the president included:

• What was your favourite sport when you were in school?
• When you were nine years old what did you want to be?
• When did you decide you wanted to be president?
• What is your favourite book?

The president was asked about his dogs, his official trips abroad, his favourite subject in school, the difference between his childhood and nowadays.

Higgins told the children he loved handball and spoke about the importance of friendship in their lives.

He encouraged the children to speak the Irish language.

A message to the children of Ireland

In a message to the children of Ireland and the viewers of RTÉ news2day, President Michael D. Higgins gave this advice: "Stay curious about everything and I think it's important to make sure you don't miss the joy of sharing information.

"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."

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

• Michael D Higgins
• Most Recent

Schoolchildren and parents urge minister to introduce homework ban

The Department of Education told the letter writers that homework policy was not within its powers. File picture: PA

Schoolchildren and parents have pleaded with Education Minister Norma Foley to step in and introduce a homework ban.

In letters to the minister, children 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 child wrote about how seven hours of school each day was “plenty of education”.

“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 wrote: “Kids should be doing more creative things with their time after school. Many kids have had to stop doing hobbies because of it." 

One handwritten 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”.

“When I would finish homework, 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.” 

What's your view on this issue?

You can tell us here

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.” 

Department response

In response, the Department of Education told the letter writers that homework policy was not within its powers.

In emails, the department said: "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.”

Irish Examiner’s WhatsApp channel

Follow and share the latest news and stories

More in this section

Met Éireann forecasts ideal trick-or-treating conditions for Halloween night

Lunchtime News

Sign up to the best reads of the week from irishexaminer.com selected just for you.

Please click  here for our privacy statement.

Monday, October 28, 2024 - 10:00 PM

Tuesday, October 29, 2024 - 12:00 PM

Tuesday, October 29, 2024 - 11:00 AM

© Examiner Echo Group Limited

Parenting & Education in Ireland

Parenting & education, site quick links, no-homework day for all children in ireland, submit a comment, related news, related links, recent comments.