do you have to do homework in ireland

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.

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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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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.

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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.”

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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

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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.

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'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.

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Exemption from studying Irish

What is an exemption from studying irish, who can apply for an exemption from studying irish, how to apply for an exemption from studying irish, how to appeal a decision, irish language requirements for third-level courses.

Irish is one of the core subjects in the school curriculum in Ireland. All students must study Irish unless they are given an exemption from studying the subject. If you get an exemption, you do not have to study Irish at school.

You can apply for an exemption from studying Irish in primary and secondary school.

You can only apply if English is the main language of instruction in your school. You cannot get an exemption from Irish in a school where Irish is the main language of instruction.

An exemption is only given in certain circumstances. The student must meet certain criteria – see ‘Who can apply for an exemption from studying Irish’ below.

Detailed information about the exemption from studying Irish in school, is set out in the Department of Education’s Circular 54/2022 (for primary schools) and Circular 55/2022 (for post-primary schools). An exemption from the study of Irish can only be made under the rules outlined in the Circular in place at the time of application. You can find more information about the rules governing the exemption from Irish before September 2022 from the Department of Education.

If you are a parent or guardian, you can apply for your child to be exempt from the study of Irish if you think they meet the criteria. Your child must be enrolled in an English-medium mainstream school. A student over 18 years of age can also apply for an exemption.

Your child will only be considered for exemption from studying Irish in exceptional circumstances.

The decision to exempt a student is made by the principal of the school following discussion with a student’s parents or guardians, the class teacher, special education teachers and the student themselves.

If a child is granted an exemption, they can choose not to use the exemption and take part in Irish classes or examinations. However, they do not lose the right to use the exemption in the future.

Students who may get an exemption from the study of Irish:

Students moving from abroad.

Students coming to live in Ireland from abroad may get an exemption if:

• A child is enrolling for the first time after completed a full course of primary education outside the State, and did not have the opportunity to study Irish
• A child aged 12 or over who received their education outside the State for at least 3 consecutive years, and did not have the opportunity to study Irish
• A child of a foreign diplomatic or consular representative in Ireland (primary schools only)

Students with literacy difficulties

A student who has at least reached second class and meets all of the following conditions can also get an exemption:

• The student has significant literacy difficulty that persists after having access to a differentiated approach to language and literacy over time. This should be documented in a Student Support Plan.
• The student has a standardised score at or below the 10th percentile in word reading, reading comprehension or spelling.

The school must monitor a student’s needs and programme over time to identify that the student has significant and persistent literacy difficulties.

Students with multiple and persistent needs

A student who has at least reached second class and meets all of the following conditions can get an exemption:

• The student has a high level of significant, multiple and persistent needs that affect their learning and participation in school life
• The student's school has substantial written evidence that the student's needs persist despite a Student Support Plan which has been implemented for at least 2 years
• The student has been given every reasonable opportunity to learn Irish in mainstream classes
• The principal is satisfied that giving an exemption is in the best interests of the student

What are multiple and persistent needs?

A student has a high level of multiple and persistent needs if their needs are enduring and severe in nature and significantly affect their daily functioning at school despite the support of an individualised support programme.

Exemption for special schools and special classes in mainstream schools

A student is considered exempt and does not need to apply for a certificate of exemption if they are:

• A student in a special school or a special class in a mainstream school
• A student who has previously enrolled in a special school or class
• A student who is eligible and has been recommended to enrol in a special school or class.

Your child’s school can make decisions about the Irish language learning needs of a student in a special class. However, schools are expected to provide students with opportunities to take part in Irish language and cultural activities as much as possible.

You can read more about the exemption from Irish in the Department of Education’s FAQ for parents .

You apply to the school principal for an exemption from studying Irish. You can get an application form on gov.ie

You should include the reason why you are applying for the exemption. Your child will only be considered for an exemption if they meet the criteria set out in the Department of Education circulars on exemption from the study of Irish - see 'Further information' above.

You must attach documentary evidence of your child's age and previous schooling if it is relevant to the reason for the exemption.

The school must confirm the outcome of your application, in writing, within 21 working days of getting your application.

You will be issued a certificate of exemption signed by the school principal if an exemption is granted.

Evidence of a disability

Psychological assessments and cognitive ability (IQ) scores are no longer needed when applying for exemption from the study of Irish.

If the exemption is sought on the grounds of a literacy difficulty, your child must present with significant and persistent learning difficulties despite having had access to a differentiated approach to language and literacy learning over time. The school also must have evidence of your child having a standardised score at or below the 10th percentile in at least one literacy attainment test in either word reading, reading comprehension or spelling.

You can read more about the tests the school uses when considering an applicaion in Exemption from the Study of Irish – Guidance on Test Selection (pdf) .

Student Support Plan

The school must keep documentary evidence for students with special educational needs in the Student Support Plan. The plan should include:

• Regular reviews of learning needs as part of an ongoing cycle of assessment
• Target-setting
• Intervention and review including test scores in word reading, reading comprehension, spelling or other scores of language or literacy

If you do not agree with the decision to refuse an exemption for your child, you can appeal the school’s decision to the Irish Exemptions Appeal Committee (IEAC) using the official appeals form . You must appeal within 30 days from the date you are notified in writing of the school’s decision.

The Committee will consider the grounds given for the refusal using the Department’s criteria for exemption and any supporting documentation the school had at the time of the decision.

You can get more information and an Irish exemption appeal form to appeal the decision on gov.ie

You can reapply for an exemption if it was refused. You should discuss with the school if it has the correct evidence to support your application.

Exemption from Irish at school

Some third-level courses require a student to have a certain mark in Irish at the Leaving Certificate examination. If you have been exempted from Irish at school, you may be exempted from the third level requirement for a course. However, this is a matter for each individual college.

If you want to do a particular course, you should check with the college that it allows exemptions from Irish for the course you want to apply for. You can also check the CAO website for information about language exemptions.

If you are applying for a third-level course through the Central Applications Office (CAO), you should send a copy of the exemption certificate with your CAO application form.

Exemption from Irish at third-level

If you didn’t get an exemption from Irish in school under the rules set by the Department of Education, you can still apply to the third-level institute for an exemption from Irish in their entry level requirements. The third-level institute will decide on your application.

The college may also ask you to complete an exemption application form and to submit supporting documentation. You should check with the individual college for details on how to apply for an exemption.

Related documents

• PPS numbers for returning Irish emigrants and their families Find your existing PPS number or apply for a new PPS number when returning home to Ireland. You can also apply for a PPS number for a child born abroad. 1341.462
• Exemptions from Local Property Tax The Local Property Tax is a tax payable on residential property. This document gives information about properties that are exempt from the tax. 1301.2727
• Artists' exemption from income tax Some income earned by artists, writers, sculptors and painters in Ireland from the sale of their work may be exempt from income tax. How to obtain exemption from income tax if you are an artist and satisfy certain criteria. 1263.6295

If you have a question about this topic you can contact the Citizens Information Phone Service on 0818 07 4000 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm).

You can also contact your local Citizens Information Centre .

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National Parents Council (NPC)

Your child and school - faqs.

Here you can find out answers to questions you might have about your child and school.

A split class is one where two or more levels are taught together (e.g. 3rd class and 4th class) by the same teacher in the same classroom. This may be necessary in a smaller school where pupil numbers don't allow for separate classes at all levels or in a larger school where the intake might fluctuate. The Principal is responsible for the allocation of teachers to classes. ESRI research (2014) which used data on 8,568 nine-year-old children from the Growing Up in Ireland study showed that children in a split class “did not perform any better nor any worse than children in single-grade classes”. It is believed that older children benefit by having the work they covered in the previous year reinforced and the younger children experience a broader spectrum of information, allowing many of them to advance. The Principal has to decide what is the best way to split the classes, where necessary, and in some cases it is by age, some alphabetically. In some cases the children may be given an opportunity to pick one or two friends that they would like to be in the same class. The parents association may also have a role to play in exploring the social impact of a split class on the children. The best thing to do is to talk to the Principal and he/she will be able to explain why they had to split the class and which system they used to decide on which children go into which class.

The Special Education Teaching allocation model provides that all schools will have a basic allocation to assist pupils who have learning and literacy difficulties, including those arising from English as an Additional Language (EAL) needs. Additional support is available for schools with high concentrations of pupils that require language support.

A Learning Support Teacher service is available to all primary schools and the Department of Education and Science has produced Learning Support Guidelines. These guidelines explain the aims and activities of learning support programmes. They include the procedures for identifying and selecting children who might be having difficulty with their school work curriculum and who need supplemental teaching. It is the learning support teachers who provide this extra teaching. Children who continue to have difficulty coping with their school work, can be psychologically assessed by the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) and may be eligible for Resource Teacher support.

No, the children are entitled to the full curriculum which includes a minimum of one hour per week of PE.

No teacher can be required to administer medicine or drugs to a pupil.

The Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) and the Catholic Primary School Management Association (CPSMA) advise that the parent(s) of the pupil concerned should write to the school's board of management requesting the board to authorise a member of the teaching staff to administer the medication.

The request should also contain written instructions of the procedure to be followed in administering the medication. The board of management, having considered the matter, may authorise a teacher to administer medication to a pupil.

If the teacher is so authorised she/he should be properly instructed by the board of management. A teacher should not administer medication without the specific authorisation of the board.

In administering medication to pupils, teachers should exercise the standard of care of a reasonable and prudent parent.

The board of management should inform the schools insurers accordingly.

The board of management should seek an indemnity from the parents in respect of any liability that may arise regarding the administration of the medication.

It is important that boards of management request parents to ensure that teachers be made aware in writing of any medical condition suffered by any children in their class.

Children who have epilepsy, diabetes, or are prone to anaphylactic shock syndrome may have an incidence attack at any time and it is vital therefore to identify the symptoms in order that treatment can be given by an appropriate person if necessary.

The first thing you should do is speak to the child's teacher. If you think it is something which could be solved in a few minutes you should speak to the teacher either at the beginning or end of the school day. If it would take a little longer you should ask for an appointment with the teacher and outline the nature of the problem if possible. When you meet the teacher explain the problem as clearly and calmly as possible. Be prepared to work with the teacher and your child to resolve the problem. If the problem cannot be resolved at this level, the next step is to involve the Principal. You should make an appointment and bring with you any paperwork which may be relevant. If the problem remains unresolved the next step is to contact the Board of Management of the school.

More detailed information about any concerns you might have about bullying or child protection can be found at this link https://www.education.ie/en/Parents/Information/Complaints-Bullying-Child-Protection-Discrimination/

If you need any help with this please call the NPC Helpline Tel: 01 8874477 or email: [email protected]

The first thing you should do is speak to your child's teacher. Quite often a teacher can deal with this in the classroom and the problem can be resolved there and then. If the problem persists you should ask for a copy of the school's anti-bullying policy and check if it is being followed. If it is not being followed you should follow the procedure as outlined above in Q6. As a family you can support your child by listening to them and letting them know that you are on their side. You should reassure them that they haven't done anything wrong and that you will do all you can to make the bullying stop. You should also do all you can to build up their self esteem whether that's by encouraging activities they are involved in, or introducing them to other groups of children etc. Click here for the NPC leaflet on Bullying, click here to go to the Department of Education and Skills Anti Bullying Procedures for primary and post primary schools

Irish is an integral part of the curriculum in all primary schools. There are some exceptional circumstances where a child may be exempted from studying Irish.

Exempting a pupil from the study of Irish should be considered only in exceptional circumstances. The decision to exempt a pupil from the study of Irish is an important decision that has implications for his/her access to the curriculum and his/her future learning. The decision to grant an exemption from the study of Irish is made by the principal teacher, but it must be made following detailed discussion with the pupil’s parent(s)/guardian(s), the class teacher, special education teachers, and the pupil.

The only exceptional circumstances in which a school may consider granting an exemption from the study of Irish are set out in Section 2.2 of Circular 0054/2022  in the case of primary schools and in Section 2.2 of Circular 0055/2022  for post - primary schools.

In certain circumstances that are outlined in the circular an exemption may be granted to:

• A student, aged at least 12, moving from abroad without previous experience of learning the Irish language or a student who have completed their primary education abroad.
• A student who experiences significant literacy difficulties which are an obstacle to their learning across the curriculum.
• A student who experiences a high level of multiple and persistent needs that are a significant barrier to the student’s participation and engagement in their learning and school life.
• A student in a recognised special school or class or who was previously enrolled in a recognised special school or class or who has a recommendation and has been deemed eligible for a place in a recognised special school and/or in a special class in a mainstream school.
• A student whose parent(s)/guardian(s) is a/are diplomatic or consular representative(s) of another country to Ireland irrespective of age or educational history It is recommended that the parent(s)/guardian(s) discuss with the school whether the school believes that there is sufficient evidence to support an application for an exemption from the study of Irish.

It is the Department’s policy that all students (including those granted an exemption) are provided with opportunities to participate in Irish language and cultural activities at a level appropriate to their learning needs, to the greatest extent possible, and in a meaningful way

Yes. If you are not satisfied with the decision made by the school to refuse your application, then it is open to you to make an appeal. You should complete the Irish Exemption Appeal Form on the Department’s website and return it to the Department of Education within 30 calendar days from the date you were notified of the decision of the school not to grant an exemption.

There is no need to send in any other documentation as the department will be contacting the school to request the documentation that was used in the decision to refuse the exemption.

An Irish Exemption Appeal form can be submitted by e-mail to: [email protected] or by post to Schools Financial and Database Section, Department of Education, Cornamaddy, Athlone, Co.  Westmeath, N37 X659

The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) have lots of information about the various subjects at all levels. Click here to get detailed information on their website about each of the subject areas.

The curriculum refers to the programme of study your child will follow through their primary school years. It is presented in seven areas, some of which are further subdivided into subjects. The development of curriculum for Religious education remains the responsibility of the different church authorities. However, the Minister for Education and Skills has asked the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment to develop a religion and ethics programme for schools. Click here for further information on the Education about Religion and Beliefs (ERB) and Ethics curriculum. Click here for information on all of the curricular areas.

This is a document which outlines the behaviour expected of all members of the school community. It should be prepared in consultation with all members of the school community including pupils and parents. It should be available to all parents and you may be asked to sign it when your child starts school. Corporal or physical punishment is illegal in Irish schools. Click here to find out more about Developing a School's Code of Behaviour.

Schools set their own policy in relation to homework. For example, in some schools children from first to sixth class are given homework each week night. Other schools give a small amount of reading or maths to infant classes. If your child does get homework, you should give them space and encouragement to do it. If they need it, offer your help. Take time to talk with your child about what they do in school each day. Set aside a quiet time where your child is sitting comfortably at a table and will not be distracted by television or other noise. Homework time should include time for oral as well as written work. Oral work - speaking and repeating what they have learned - is particularly helpful in the early years. Encourage your child to keep their text books and exercise books clean and tidy. If your child is working on their own, be available to help and show an interest in what they're doing. Praise your child's efforts whenever you can. Try to be patient with your child. If your child is having ongoing problems with homework discuss this with the teacher. If your child can't do their homework for any reason, let the teacher know. Write a short note explaining why or arrange a meeting with the teacher. Click here to download the NPC Homework leaflet

The amount of homework and the time to be allocated to it are key features of the school's homework policy. Parents need to be fully familiar with this policy, so as to manage the time allocated at home by the child. It is important that the target time for homework for their child's class is known to parents. They can then intervene if the child takes a significantly longer time to complete the tasks set, and can alert the teacher to the difficulties being encountered.

Click here to download the NPC Homework leaflet.

It is very important for your child to have good home-school communication. Parents are the primary educators of their children and their co-operation and support are essential to the school. In some schools Home-School community Liaison Officers are appointed from among the teaching staff to encourage parents to participate more fully in their children's education and to become more involved in the life of the school. This scheme is restricted to a small number of schools. Click here for further information on the HSCL scheme.

Primary schools in Ireland are funded on the basis of a Capitation Grant Scheme which is decided in the Budget by the Government every year. That means the school's Board of Management gets a certain amount of money allocated for each child that they have enrolled in the school. This money is used to pay all expenses, such as electricity, oil, insurance, telephone, etc. As costs rise, this is often not enough to cover all the costs. Some schools ask parents for a voluntary contribution to help towards these costs. This of course has to be on a voluntary basis and you are under no obligation to pay it. No child or family should be named or shamed for not contributing.

In each school year there will be one formal parent/teacher meeting held in each primary school. This will usually take place at the end of the school day and the school will close 15 minutes early to facilitate this. The school will let you know the date and time of the meeting. This is an important meeting and you should do your best to attend. At the meeting you can see examples of your child's work and discuss your child's progress with the class teacher. Going to these meetings also shows your child that you are interested in how they are doing. If you are concerned about your child's progress at any stage during the year, you can arrange to speak to the class teacher. If you cannot attend the formal parent/teacher meeting then you should let the teacher know and you should be offered a suitable and convenient alternative. Click here to read the Department of Education and Science Circular PC 14/04: Arrangements for Parent/Teacher and Staff meetings.

Schools generally communicate with parents by sending notes home with the child. These notes can be written in the child's homework diary or printed on a separate sheet. You should check your child's school bag each day for notes.

Under the Education Act, 1998 the school must provide reports for each child. The school must allow parents to have access to their child's school record. The school should have a procedure to keep parents informed about matters relating to the school. The Act states “the Principal and teachers shall regularly evaluate students and periodically report the results of the evaluation to the students and their parents”. Under the Education (Welfare) Act, if a student leaves one school to go to another, the Principal of the first school must give information about the child to the new school. This information may include attendance or other relevant matters relating to the child's progress. You should receive a written report from your child's school at some point(s) during the year. This report will give you information on your child's progress and achievement in school in four key areas.

1. Your child as a learner how your child likes learning in school how your child works with other children, or on his/her own how your child keeps trying at work, even when it is hard how well your child works in school or at home

2. Your child's social and personal development if your child appears happy in school how he/she behaves how he/she gets on with other children in the classroom and in the playground

3. Your child's learning across the curriculum how he/she is getting on in English, Gaeilge, Mathematics, and in the other subject areas whether he/she needs a little or a lot of help with school work whether your child needs a little or a lot of help with homework

4. You and your child's learning how you might be able to help your child to do better in school things you can do at home to help with your child's learning

For tip sheets on ways you can help your child to learn, check the NCCA website www.ncca.ie

For further information or to download an information sheet on your child's school report click here to go to the NCCA website

Other items which should be included in your child's report include: Standardised test results - when applicable should be included in your child's report. The purpose of the standardised test is to check how your child is performing in literacy (English) and numeracy (maths). The tests must be carried out at the end of first class or the beginning of Second and again at the end of fifth or the beginning of sixth class. Parents must be informed of the result of the test. The result of a standardised test will appear as a number. Your child's teacher will write a short comment explaining to you what this number means. Comments - The teacher may draw attention to something (s)he would like to talk to you about. The teacher might use this space to draw attention to, or praise your child for some special achievement or quality. For further information on Standardised Tests see the NCCA website www.ncca.ie

If a request is made then it would be appropriate to comply with the request and to supply copies of school reports to both guardians. Again, in the absence of a request, a school would have to consider the particular circumstances but, given that it would be likely that there would be relatively little expense and difficulty in arranging for copies of the reports to be sent to both guardians it would seem sensible to have a policy which provides for copies of reports to be sent to each guardian.

Supervision before and after school is an issue of concern in many schools, the Board of Management has a duty of care for all children including periods of time where children are on the school premises outside of the official 5 hours and 40 minutes contact time, i.e. when the children assemble for school and when they are dismissed at the end of the school day. It is up to the management of the school to ensure that all children and staff are in a safe environment. To this end the Board of Management must prepare a safety statement which would highlight any areas of particular concern. However the staff of the School are not required by their contract to provide supervision outside of the official 5 hours and 40 minutes contact time. NPC have been negotiating with the Department for a number of years on this issue and we were delighted when it was particularly suggested as one of the ways a school could use their extra hour per teacher per week as per the CrokePark Agreement. The provision, with effect from the start of the 2010/11 school year, of an additional hour per week to be available to facilitate, at the discretion of management, school planning, continuous professional development, induction, substitution and supervision (including supervision immediately before and after school times). The Irish Primary Principals’ Network (IPPN) says: Based on Case Law precedence and the advice of Allianz Insurance, it appears that it can be reasonably expected that children will be on school premises for up to 10 minutes before and after school, allowing for normal access and departure in an orderly fashion. Once the school allows access to the premises, the School authorities have a duty to supervise. The same applies to pupils staying on after school. It is not reasonable to leave children standing on the sides of busy roads in inclement weather where the traffic poses a danger. The geography of every school is different, but regardless of design, the Board of Management’s (BoM's) responsibility relates to the entire premises and not just the school building or designated playgrounds. Some Solutions suggested by the IPPN (Irish Primary Principals’ Network) include: Engage the Parents’ Association (PA) in discussion re. Before & After School Children’s Safety. Outline the BoM’s difficulty in relation to this matter Engage the PA in discussion re. the link between the school opening time and the pattern of children being on school premises for lengthy periods in advance. Having consulted with parents through the Parents’ Association & individually and having consulted with staff, the BoM should consider the feasibility of altering the school opening time to minimize the amount of time children spend unsupervised on the school premises. The BoM to engage the PA in discussion re providing a Rota of parents to supervise the safety of children before & after school. The BoM and the PA should negotiate with transport providers and seek more practical collection and drop-off times for children. Where transport providers are either unwilling or unable to show flexibility, encourage parents to engage in car pooling.

There are no specific allowances for space per child in a classroom, neither are there rules regarding the maximum number of children in a classroom. It is up to the management of the school to ensure that all children and staff are in a safe environment. To this end the Board of Management must prepare a safety statement which would highlight any areas of particular concern. If you are concerned you should raise the issue with the class teacher / Principal.

The Principal has the responsibility to organize supervision at break and lunchtime. It is up to the management of the school to ensure that all children and staff are in a safe environment. To this end the Board of Management must prepare a safety statement which would highlight any areas of particular concern. There is a system for supervision which teachers can opt into and be paid for this work separate from their salary. Most teachers have opted into this. The principal organises a suitable Rota. Some of the additional time agreed under the Croke Park Agreement can also be used for supervision if necessary. If you have a concern you should raise this with the Principal.

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What subjects do I have to take in secondary school in Ireland?

In Ireland the Minister for Education and Skills sets the curriculum for primary and secondary schools

Written by spunout

Fact checked by experts and reviewed by young people.

This factsheet is an extract from the publication Know Your Rights: The Rights of Children and Young People published by the Children’s Rights Alliance . It is reproduced here with their kind permission. Know Your Rights is a public information project designed to inform everyone, in plain language, of the rights and entitlements children have in Ireland and where to go when they are not respected.

The Minister for Education and Skills sets the curriculum (the subjects to be taught) in Irish secondary schools. They take into account the advice of the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment. Your school and teachers decide what you will learn from that curriculum every day at school. 

Do I have a right to choose my own subjects at school?

In secondary school you are able to choose certain subjects within the curriculum. However, you must study English, Mathematics and Irish. You can get an exemption from studying Irish in certain circumstances. For more information go to the Curriculum Online website .

Do I have to study religion at school?

You do not have to study religion in school, but you can only not study it if your parent or guardian says you do not have to. If you are over the age of 18 you can decide for yourself. If you do not share the religion of your school, or do not have a religion, you do not have to attend religious classes or events. Your parent or guardian can ask that you do not take part in this class and the school must agree to this.

If you belong to a different religion from that of your school, the school does not have to provide you with instruction (classes) in your own religion.

For those who do not want religious teaching in school, Community Post Primary Schools and Education and Training Board (ETB) post primary schools must offer an alternative subject or subjects. The school must let parents know that such alternative tuition is available. You and your parents must be asked to choose between religious instruction and the alternative subject or subjects offered by your school.

Do I have to do homework?

Yes. Each school sets its own rules and policies for homework and as a pupil you must follow the rules and policies of your school. If you are having difficulty with your homework you should speak to a teacher as they may be able to provide you with extra support. 

Do I have to do tests and exams?

You have to follow school rules or policy and this may include sitting tests and exams. The law does not say that you must sit the Junior Certificate and Leaving Certificate exams. However, the Leaving Certificate is the most common way into third-level education (universities and third-level colleges).

There are also other education options like:

•   The Leaving Certificate Applied
• Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) Awards

If you are home-schooled you do not have to take the formal exams like the Junior or Leaving Certificate, but you can ask your parent or guardian to arrange for you to do so. You can get more information on the website of the State Examination Commission .

Can I appeal results of my Junior or Leaving Certificate exams if I think they are unfair?

Yes. To appeal a result in a Junior Certificate subject, talk to your school who will apply to the State Examinations Commission for you. To appeal a result in a Leaving Certificate subject you must:

•  Fill in an appeal form which you can get from your school
• Send the form to the State Examinations Commission.

For both exams there is a fee for each subject you wish to appeal.

Visit our Education section to lean more about your options both during and after school. 

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Parenting & education, site quick links, how much time should your child spend on homework.

If the child is having trouble with homework

Additional Homework Resources

The Irish school that doesn't believe in homework

One dublin primary school’s ‘no-homework policy’ has been a resounding success.

Teacher Eimear O’Callaghan with 4th class pupils at Loreto Primary School, Rathfarnham. Photograph Nick Bradshaw for The Irish Times

If the messages I received following a recent column I wrote on my feelings regarding homework are anything to go by, then there's an awful lot of disgruntled parents who are silently willing an end to afternoons of homework battles with tired and frustrated children. What's possibly more surprising, however, is that it appears there are a lot of teachers willing an end to homework too.

Yet, on many of us plod, negotiating afternoons of maths, Irish and English sentences, while wishing the powers that be might take a leaf out of their Finnish counterparts’ books and abolish homework for once and for all. But is homework just a necessary evil or should be we looking at a change in how we’re doing things?

Psychotherapist Mary McHugh believes we're curtailing 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.”

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Speaking of the expectation that children will sit at a desk in school for several hours a day and then are required to continue doing so at home, McHugh says that “stress is showing up at an alarming scale and yet we’re still applying more pressure academically younger and younger”.

“We’re living in a world of unrealistic expectations both externally and internally. Our young are embodying this as the norm and it’s not okay,” McHugh continues. “We need equal hours of work, rest and play in our adulthood – which most of us do not have. How many of our children have that balance and who is ensuring that this happens?”

Pointing towards the change in parental circumstances, McHugh says parents in today’s world are under “severe pressure. They work long hours and are trying to juggle everything. Spending time helping children with their homework can add more stress to their relationship, which can lead to disconnection.

“Some of our children may leave their home in the morning and not return for up to 12 hours. This is pressure and we are seeing it in our children, who are presenting with extreme anxiety, eating disorders, behavioural difficulties and auto-immune illnesses.

Homework was causing stress for the children, stress for the parents policing the doing of homework and pressure on the teachers to mark homework

“Our children need to get out and learn to have time at play. This allows a digestion of the information they take in at school.”

‘A lot of stress’

Sr Maria Hyland, principal of Loreto Primary School, Rathfarnham, Dublin, which is currently trialling a "no-homework policy" (except for 6th class) says she'd noticed "that there appeared to be a lot of stress around the whole area of homework".

“Homework was causing stress for the children, stress for the parents policing the doing of homework and pressure on the teachers to mark homework that is ‘do-able’ at home, explain it and ensure all knew what they were required to do.”

Along with the “inordinate amount of time” it took some students to take down their homework and pack their books, there was the inevitable and frequent packing of the incorrect book, which Sr Maria explains led to “tears at homework time”, “parents coming back to collect the forgotten book” or “contacting other parents on WhatsApp to see what their little darling was supposed to be doing”.

Sr Maria Hyland, principal of Loreto Primary School, Rathfarnham: “Children come in fresh and happy in the mornings. There is a great buzz around the place, which is nice.” Photograph Nick Bradshaw for The Irish Times

“School children need to rest their minds and relax a little to recharge their batteries. And to take time to explore something of interest to them.”

Quoting Jean Piaget, Sr Maria says "the goal of education is not to increase the amount of knowledge but to create the possibilities for the child to invent and discover. To create people who are capable of doing new things."

In class, teachers are finding they can assess the children's work rather than the parents' work

Initial reaction from parents to the no-homework policy has been “extremely positive”, Sr Maria explains. Those with reservations “have said they are willing to try it and are keeping an open mind about it”.

Unsurprisingly perhaps, “the children are very happy”.

The policy will not impact on the teacher’s ability to cover the curriculum, Sr Maria says. “In fact, it gives more teacher-pupil contact time and teachers feel they have more time for teaching than trying to get homework corrected and sorted. In class, teachers are finding they can assess the children’s work rather than the parents’ work. Very often, the standard of homework did not match the child’s classroom ability as there was too much help from parents, which is understandable when parents are under pressure to get the homework over with and try and restore peace to the house.

“The Friday test and other assessments will inform parents of how their child is doing in class.

“Already, parents are saying they have more time for chatting with their child and one parent said they now have time to play a board game in the evening.

‘Fresh and happy’

“Children come in fresh and happy in the mornings,” Sr Maria adds. “There is a great buzz around the place, which is nice.”

Alison Walsh’s three daughters, Sarah, (5th), Ellie (3rd) and Isabel (1st) class attend Loreto. “At first, I was actually a little bit apprehensive” she explains. “I was a little bit concerned about supporting their schoolwork at home. As it’s being rolled out, I can see that it’s actually great.”

It's given me more time in the evening. The children are definitely less stressed as well

Because the children still have Friday tests, they still revise their spellings and tables, Walsh explains, but this can be done during the week as suits.

“In the initial email that the school sent out, they encourage children to play outside, help cook the dinner, to record and watch the children’s news. That’s actually been my favourite part of it. I just think it’s great that they’re a little bit more aware of what’s going on in the world.

“It’s given me more time in the evening. The children are definitely less stressed as well.” Following mid-week after-school activities, Walsh says her children now have time to call for their friends who live on the road.

Lynne Caffrey’s daughters Lois and Holly are in 2nd and 1st class respectively in Loreto. She was initially a little worried about the “no-homework policy”, as focused projects had replaced standard homework in the children’s previous school. Parental involvement in these projects had created competitiveness, she explains.

“Loreto communicated it so well and the rationale was so clear that I trusted them.

“I work every day, so to come home and not have to negotiate it [homework] when the children are tired and I’m hungry is a revelation. It led to fights and the urge to correct mistakes was huge, which wasn’t good for their esteem.”

While it took a little adjusting to the new routine, Caffrey says “it’s calmer and the house is less stressed. It feels like I can really enjoy the time I get with them. So far, it’s been a very welcome change. I did fear resentment building as the homework became more substantial with each year. They definitely love being the kids in afterschool who get to play outside instead of doing homework!”

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