Whether you’re eight or 18, homework is part of your school day. But should it be? And how much should children be tasked to do? And what is the point?

Irish Times parenting columnist Jen Hogan is clear: primary-school children should not be given homework, ever. She tells In the News that years of parenting and research informs her firm view.

Irish Times education editor Carl O’Brien says that while homework is a heavily researched area in other countries, Ireland is lagging behind when it comes to understanding how much homework Irish children are doing and in measuring the benefit – or the harm.

Now, says O’Brien, Maynooth University has produced a study that shows that 15 minutes is the optimum time for homework – in each subject – for secondary-school pupils.

Produced by Aideen Finnegan and John Casey. Presented by Bernice Harrison.

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