The letter called for a range of changes, from reforms to outright bans. The latest manifestation of the debate has been a letter writing campaign by students and parents to Minister for Education Norma Foley. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar also weighed in, saying that while he doesn’t support a ban, he thinks there’s “definitely a place for homework, but we need to make sure that there isn’t too much of it.” This answer, given to a rigorous panel of Irish primary school children, sparked a fresh debate on whether a reform of Ireland’s education system was something that should be looked at. People should be able to use their time at home for other creative things.” he told RTE’s News2Day programme.

“I think myself, really that the time at school is an educational experience and it should get finished at the school.

The time after school, he argued, would be better spent on creative pursuits. With the weight of work on the shoulders of Irish students, especially those in their Leaving Cert cycle, it is hard to see any alternative.īut it’s by no means a settled topic, with President Michael D Higgins sparking the latest round of debate. It’s an experience universal among students past and present alike in Ireland: homework.Īs the school day ends, thousands of students leave for home, knowing that their day is far from finished.Įxercises must be finished, essays written, formulae learned, and oral material rehearsed.

Schools without homework