The Education Minister, Joe McHugh has pledged to continue to reduce the pupil teacher ratio in small schools and said the idea of scrapping homework for primary school students needs “analysis”.
Joe McHugh said the party will also abolish the charge for the School Transport Scheme and introduce a free school books scheme for all primary schools.
Speaking at the launch of Fine Gael’s education plans, Mr McHugh said there will be a 25% increase in school capitation funding.
Addressing the Green Party’s suggestion to scrap homework for primary school children, Mr McHugh admitted it was an issue that comes up all over the country.
“It’s an interesting conversation because there are questions around stress and around pressure.
“I think it’s a subject that needs analysis, but there’s also the major benefits of homework, whereby parents are able to monitor the progress.
“I just believe that there is value in homework and it’s also what type of homework.
“There’s this notion that homework is just a drudgery but homework from my own personal insight is that young people are doing research, it’s project work, they’re using different data and that’s at a primary school level.
“The debate has to start with the young people.
“It’s an area that will require the parents’ voice and students’ voice before any minister or leader of any party stands up and says ‘this should happen’ or ‘this should not happen’,” he said.
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