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24th October 2024
11:38am BST
A debate has arose around the idea that children need to disconnect after school in the same way that adults relax after work.
Rathcoole Educate Together principal Gemma Maher spoke about the topic and said she runs a ‘no-homework-policy’ in her school.
Speaking on Newstalk today, Ms Maher said she doesn’t know if homework improves a child’s education.
“There is actually no evidence to say that homework reinforces what's going on, and there’s no evidence to suggest it improves attainment by children,” she said.
“Adults have a right to disconnect, and so do children if they're in the right school, doing the right things.
“They're working really hard for us from 8.30am to 2.10pm, and they’re giving their full effort to do whatever we’re asking them to do.”
She went on to say that there are only so many hours in the day and that children need to be able to relax and take part in extracurricular activities after a long day.
“When they’re in school, they are collaboratively learning, it’s not just sitting and writing.
“By the end of the day, they’re absolutely exhausted and that’s when extracurricular activities kick in.
"I have two sons - one does piano, another does taekwondo - they do things like swimming, rock climbing, mountain climbing, and they go to bed at 7.30pm.
“If they had an extra 30 minutes of homework, that’s an extra stressor they don’t need.”
On the other side of the argument is Mary McCarthy, an Irish Independent columnist who believes that homework is a vital part of education.
“I think the right kind of homework is really necessary, but it shouldn’t take over 30 minutes to do,” she told Newstalk.
“It’s a no-brainer; it reinforces what they’ve learned that day and there’s loads of neuroscientific evidence for that.
“It encourages parents to start reading with their kids because you can get out of that habit after junior infants, and I just think so much good comes from it.
“I can’t understand why everyone gives out about it.”
What are your thoughts? Should homework remain a daily thing or should children be given their evenings to enjoy other things in life.
