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President of Ireland calls on schools to stop giving pupils homework

Children should be able to use time at home ‘for other creative things’, says michael d higgins, article bookmarked.

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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 beyond the shores of the Emerald Isle, Michael D Higgins argued that school should not extend beyond the final bell.

“Time in school … should get finished in school,” the president told pupils at a school in County Tipperary this week during a broadcast for RTE.

Children should be able to use their time at home “for other creative things”, Mr Higgens continued.

Reiterating his point, the 81-year-old president added: “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.”

Mr Higgins was asked for his thoughts on homework by pupils at St Kevin’s National School in Littleton, during a broadcast celebrating the 20th anniversary of RTE’s children’s news show – viewers of which sent their questions in for the president.

Asked if he had a message for the children of Ireland, the president, who has been in office since 2011, said: “Stay curious about everything. Make sure you don’t miss the joy of getting information.

“And I think an important thing is friendship, and that nobody is left without friendship.”

Suggesting that children of Ireland place “great value” on friendship, Mr Higgins lamented that this makes it even more tragic when there is an “abuse of phones for bullying”.

Mr Higgins revealed that, having started school himself at the age of seven, his love for reading soon saw him decide that he wanted to be a teacher – and he attended teacher training as an adult before going on to spend 25 years in Ireland’s lower house of parliament Dail Eireann.

It is not the first time that Mr Higgins has offered his thoughts on children’s education. Last year, on his 80th birthday, Mr Higgins suggested that yoga should be taught in schools across Ireland.

Research suggests that Mr Higgins’ is far from alone in his views on homework, at least in the UK.

A 2018 survey of parents by British education regulator Ofsted found that more than a third did not think homework was helpful for primary school children.

Homework is a “huge cause of stress” for many families – and for children with special educational needs or disabilities it can be detrimental to their health, Ofsted was told.

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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!

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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

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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.

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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.

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.

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President Michael D Higgins says homework should be done in school – not at home

• Published : 19:05, 20 Jan 2023
• Updated : 19:06, 20 Jan 2023

IRISH President Michael D Higgins reckons schoolwork should end at the schoolgate - and there's no need for homework.

And he believes students should have the time to focus on more creative pursuits after a day in the classroom.

Speaking to a group of young avid journalists, he expressed his lack of enthusiasm towards working after school hours.

One of the students asked the crucial question in the minds of children across the country: "What's your opinion on 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."

He noted the value of learning that can be experienced not just in school, but outside in artistic ways.

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The President reflected on his days at school, stating that homework is more relaxed now than when he had to carry large bags of books as a young boy.

And he also talked about his lessons in small classrooms, saying: "I actually have great memories of it."

The former Arts Minister spoke to RTE’s news2day current affairs and news programme for children as the show turns 20.

To mark the occasion, four students from St Kevin’s National School, Littleton, Co Tipperary asked the President questions about his life at Áras an Uachtaráin.

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The future journalists covered a wide range of topics, asking the President about his life in school and his dreams when he was nine.

And they also found out that Ireland's most beloved dog, Bród, is in fact the same age as some of them.

The President broke out in a large grin as the students said: "Tell us about your dogs."

Speaking of his pet, President Higgins said: "He's probably a very famous dog now.

"He will be 11 in February, which is a very good age for a Bernese Mountain dog and Bród is wonderful."

The President gave an insight to what it was like growing up in Ireland in the 1940s and 50s.

In primary school he admitted that he loved hurling , and switched to play handball in secondary school.

'STAY CURIOUS'

It wasn't until the 1990s that President Higgins decided that he wanted to pursue politics.

He shared that his main concerns worldwide within his role are climate change, sustainability and meeting global food needs.

And President Higgins also encouraged children to speak the Irish language in fun ways whenever they can.

He said: "The hope of the Irish language is with the young people."

Bestowing advice on the up-and-coming generation, he said: "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."

• Michael D Higgins

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

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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.

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• President Higgins
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Banning homework: Norma Foley won't debate homework issue with President Michael D. Higgins

Michael D Higgins suggested that school activities should end at the school gates

• 08:28, 27 JAN 2023
• Updated 13:12, 20 JUL 2023

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Minister for Education, Norma Foley, has said she won't debate the homework ban issue with President Michael D Higgins.

School policy on homework

Last week, 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."

Support for banning homework

Meanwhile, a government minister has said that it is "important" to include children in discussions about homework policies in schools.

Irish Mirror readers were also 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.

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."

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.

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Poll: Should homework be banned at primary school level?

THE GREEN PARTY’S election manifesto was launched at the weekend, and one of its standout points was a proposal to phase out homework for primary school pupils.

Some academics have argued that there is no evidence to support the benefits of giving young children homework, and others have suggested that it may even be detrimental to their development.

The move was previously explored by an Oireachtas committee, while at least one Irish school has already stopped giving homework to primary school pupils.

Poll Results:

• I don't know/No opinion

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27th Jan 2023

No plans to abolish homework, says Minister Foley

Kat O'Connor

Do you think homework should be scrapped in Ireland?

Minister for Education Norma Foley says she has no plans to abolish homework in Ireland.

She has spoken out about the issue after President Michael D. Higgins said it is time for homework to be scrapped because it is outdated.

But the Minister for Education does not agree.

Many parents and teachers agree that it is time for the outdated practice to be scrapped. However, the Education Minster said it is up to each individual school to set its own homework policy.

“It would not be appropriate for a Government Minister to engage in the public debate with the office of the President.

“Currently schools are free to have their own policy on homework.

Minister Foley said schools can make their own homework policies, but it is not up to the Government to scrap homework.

“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.

“That creativity may also be reflected in homework.”

The President of Ireland told Newsday that children should spend their time doing other activities.

“I think myself, really that the time at home and the time in school is an educational experience.

He continued, “It should get finished at the school.”

This will then give children more time for other activities after school. Pupils could also have more time to socialise.

“People should be able to use their time for other creative things.”

Many parents feel it takes up too much of our children’s time during the evening, but others feel it helps them make more progress in school. Others also believe it benefits their communication and reading skills.

What do you think? Is it time for homework to be scrapped?

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