A more active role for parents in deciding how much homework should be given to their children is proposed in a draft report - which could form new guidelines for all primary school parents.
The draft report, agreed by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) in the past week, proposes a range of measures designed to help parents assist their child's learning.
The report underlines the critical importance of parents displaying an active interest in every stage of their child's education - despite their own increasingly busy lifestyles.
The NCCA recommends that a school's homework policy be worked out in co-operation with the parents' association in each school. It is important that there are close links between parents and the school in regard to homework, which should form part of a carefully thought-out learning programme, it says.
One source said: "We are not instructing teachers on precisely the amount of homework they should give in history, for example, in any class. What the NCCA wants is some input by parents."
The report recommends that parents should try to make sure that their children make an honest effort to do homework without assistance. They should contact the school at an early stage if the child is having difficulties with homework.
The pivotal role envisaged for parents in homework policy is a departure from the traditional practice in Irish education, where individual schools and individual teachers are free to set their own homework levels. In recent years, some schools have sought to involve the parents' association on policy matters. But others have been reluctant to give parents any substantial role .
The NCCA draft report "Parents and Children's Learning" is intended as a guide for parents to the new primary school curriculum. It provides detailed learning guidelines for all subjects in the new curriculum except religious education. The development of the curriculum in this area remains the responsibility of the different religious bodies, it states.
In relation to Irish, it says "parents should not be put off by the fact that they know little or no Irish", as "your child could get fun out of teaching you some. If a parent asks `What's the Irish for?' the child can enjoy being the teacher". It also suggests that children be encouraged to watch the cartoons on TG4 on Saturdays and Sundays.
On maths, the report says children should learn to appreciate that mathematics, while essential for daily life, can also be great fun.
Parents should try to play board games and card games with their children, as these often involve basic mathematical ideas.
To assist scientific education, children should be encouraged to play with Meccano, Lego or chemistry sets, it says.
The NCCA report provides the basis for a guide to the new curriculum. But it is not clear if the NCCA document - or one formally approved by the Department of Education - will be sent to parents.
In acknowledging the dramatic changes in the nature of family life, the NCCA report says it may not be possible for all parents to follow all the suggestions. "The important thing is to try and use those you are comfortable with."
The new primary school curriculum, which replaced the 1971 curriculum, is due to be introduced on a phased basis next September. It includes seven key curriculum areas:
Language (Gaeilge and English).
Maths: Social, environmental and scientific education (history, geography and science).
Arts education (visual arts, music and drama).
Physical education.
Social, personal and health education.
Religious education.
Established in 1987, the NCCA advises on all matters relating to curriculum and assessment in primary and secondary education. Legislation to establish the council on a statutory basis is well advanced.