rte news homework

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

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

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

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

President Higgins argues that this would make time for young people to engage in more creative pursuits outside school hours.

The former Arts Minister believes that school activities should end at the school gate.

He was speaking to RTE’s news2day current affairs and news programme for children on the occasion of the programme’s 20th birthday.

When asked what his opinion of homework President Higgins said: “I think myself, really that the time at home, and the time in the school is an educational experience and it should get finished at the school and people should be able to use their time for other creative things.”

To mark the show’s two decades on air, students from St Kevin’s National School, Littleton, County Tipperary put questions from RTÉ news2day viewers to President Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin.

In a wide-ranging interview, the children asked the President questions like, what was your favourite sport when you were in school?

When you were nine years old what did you want to be?

And when did you decide you wanted to be President?

The students also asked the President about his dogs, his official trips abroad, his favourite subject in school, differences between now and when he was a child and his favourite book. The President also spoke to the children about his love of handball and the importance of friendship in their lives.

RTÉ news2day will broadcast some of the President’s interview as part of Friday afternoon’s birthday celebrations at 4.20pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ News channel and the full interview will be available later on Friday evening on the RTÉ Player.

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

“And I think an important thing is friendship and to make sure that there’s no one left without friendship and that people belong. And we will all do individual things... but I think friendships that you make will in fact always be great memories and that is so important.

“And also have the courage to stand your own ground and let other children be allowed the space of standing their ground too because none of us are the same.

“We’re all unique but at the same time we have a lot going for us.”

President Higgins also encouraged the children of Ireland to speak the Irish language.

He encouraged them to speak Irish in a fun way and to feel free to use whatever bits of the language that they have.

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Met Eireann
• President Higgins
• Most Recent

UK Edition Change

• UK Politics
• News Videos
• Paris 2024 Olympics
• Rugby Union
• Sport Videos
• John Rentoul
• Mary Dejevsky
• Andrew Grice
• Sean O’Grady
• Photography
• Theatre & Dance
• Culture Videos
• Food & Drink
• Health & Families
• Royal Family
• Electric Vehicles
• Lifestyle Videos
• UK Hotel Reviews
• News & Advice
• Simon Calder
• Australia & New Zealand
• South America
• C. America & Caribbean
• Middle East
• Politics Explained
• News Analysis
• Today’s Edition
• Home & Garden
• Fashion & Beauty
• Travel & Outdoors
• Sports & Fitness
• Sustainable Living
• Climate Videos
• Behind The Headlines
• On The Ground
• Decomplicated
• You Ask The Questions
• Binge Watch
• Travel Smart
• Watch on your TV
• Crosswords & Puzzles
• Most Commented
• Newsletters
• Ask Me Anything
• Virtual Events
• Betting Sites
• Online Casinos
• Wine Offers

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in Please refresh your browser to be logged in

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.

Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile

Michael D Higgins says schools should not continue after final bell

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.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article

Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.

New to The Independent?

Or if you would prefer:

Want an ad-free experience?

Hi {{indy.fullName}}

• My Independent Premium
• Account details
• Help centre

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

Never miss a beat from Dublin and beyond by signing up to our FREE newsletter

We have more newsletters

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.

Phone analysis expert says 'nothing to suggest' Jonathan Dowdall in park on alleged 'confession' date

Dermot Bannon says latest season of Room To Improve 'nearly killed him'

RTE Late Late Show viewers hail 'fantastic' Nell Mescal on singing debut

Temperatures soar across Dublin despite forecast of dreary weather

Gardai appeal for help in locating missing Dublin pensioner

Sign up to the Dublin Live Newsletter to get all the latest Dublin news straight to your inbox.

• President Higgins
• Most Recent

President Michael D Higgins calls for school homework to be scrapped

President Michael D Higgins stopped by St Kevin's National School in Tipperary where the pupils interviewed him about his dogs, his time in school and his view on homework

• 15:01, 21 JAN 2023

Get the latest showbiz news and gossip every day by signing up to our FREE newsletter

We have more newsletters

President of Ireland Michael D Higgins has said he supports the scrapping of homework.

He addressed students of St Kevin's National School, Littleton, Co Tipperary, this week in an episode of RTE's news2day programme.

The President said that schoolwork should be completed in school time so children can use time after school to pursue more creative activities.

Read more: Ireland weather: Met Eireann pin point the end of the cold snap as temperatures skyrocket next week

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

"I think as much as possible that [homework] should happen in the school and I think it’s more relaxed than it used to be.”

He said that not all lessons are learned from books, but that the responsible use of phones is something that he hopes the younger generation will be acutely aware of.

The children of Ireland "have a great value of friendships" and this makes it even more tragic when there is an "abuse of phones for bullying", the President said.

The pupils were also curious about some of the other residents of Aras an Uachtaran - dogs Brod and Misneach.

"He's probably a very famous dog now," said President Higgins of Brod. "He will be 11 in February, which is a very good age for a Bernese Mountain dog and Bród is wonderful.

"He came here at six weeks old, so he's lived all of his life at the Áras..

As for Misneach, he said: "He came during Covid and because I couldn't collect him because of the ban on inter-county travel, he didn't come to me until he was five months old.

"He also didn't have a good journey here, so he's actually shy. He's a beautiful dog."

Get the latest RSVP headlines straight to your inbox for free by signing up to our newsletter

Social welfare Ireland: Major warning issued as payment dates change ahead of Bank Holiday

Louth nurse opens up about father's passing 10 days after cancer diagnosis

Stefanie Preissner felt enormous guilt after 5 devastating miscarriages in two years

Una Healy leaves fans 'mind blown' after capturing optical illusion photograph

Amy Huberman moved after young fan sends her sweet letter

• Most Recent

President Michael D Higgins says homework should be banned in Ireland

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.

Phone analysis expert says 'nothing to suggest' Jonathan Dowdall in park on alleged 'confession' date

Dermot Bannon says latest season of Room To Improve 'nearly killed him'

RTE Late Late Show viewers hail 'fantastic' Nell Mescal on singing debut

Temperatures soar across Dublin despite forecast of dreary weather

Gardai appeal for help in locating missing Dublin pensioner

Sign up to the Dublin Live Newsletter to get all the latest Dublin news straight to your inbox.

RTÉ announce live TV coverage for GAA championship 2024

THE NEW SEASON of The Sunday Game will commence with the Ulster championship clash of Monaghan against Cavan on 7 April.

RTÉ today announced their schedule of live TV games for the 2024 GAA Championships, with their flagship live show starting a new season on Sunday week from Clones.

Presenter Joanne Cantwell will be joined by pundits Paul Flynn and Peter Canavan, with coverage starting at 3.15pm for a game that will throw in at 4pm. The Sunday Game highlights show returns that night with Jacqui Hurley presenting.

The following weekend will see the reigning All-Ireland champions Dublin face Longford or Meath in the Leinster senior football quarter-final.

Hurling action starts with a repeat of the last two epic Munster finals as champions Limerick take on Clare on Sunday 21 April in Ennis, while the following week there is live TV coverage of Galway against Kilkenny in the Leinster hurling championship, and Limerick facing Tipperary in the Munster hurling championship.

Sunday 7 April

Sunday 14 April

• Camogie Division 1A league final, 2.30pm.
• Leinster SFC: Dublin v Meath/Longford, 4.30pm.

Saturday 20 April

Sunday 21 April

• Connacht SFC: Mayo/New York v Roscommon, 4pm.

Sunday 28 April

• Munster SHC: Limerick v Tipperary, 4pm.

Sunday 5 May

• Connacht football final, 4pm.

Sunday 12 May 

• Ulster football final, 4pm. 

Sunday 19 May

• Munster SHC: Tipperary v Cork, 4pm.

Sunday 26 May

• Munster SHC: Limerick v Waterford or Tipperary v Clare, 4pm.

Saturday 2 June

• All-Ireland football qualifier Round 2 – Match 2 – 4pm.

Saturday 8 June

• Leinster hurling final, 6pm.

Sunday 9 June

Sunday 16 June

• All-Ireland football qualifier Round 3 – Match 2 – 3.45pm.

Saturday 22 June

• All-Ireland hurling quarter-final 2 – 3.15pm.

Sunday 23 June

• Tailteann Cup semi-final 2 – 4pm.

Saturday 6 July

• All-Ireland hurling semi-final, 3pm.

Sunday 7 July

• All-Ireland hurling semi-final, 4pm.

Saturday 13 July

• All-Ireland football semi-final, 5.30pm.

Sunday 14 July

Sunday 21 July

Saturday 27 July

Sunday 28 July

Sunday 11 August