Pupils who spend considerable time playing video games tend to be weaker at maths, according to a new Department of Education survey.
The study of more than 40,000 fourth-class pupils finds that students who use video games or game consoles for more than one hour a day score lower marks than those who enjoy traditional pursuits such as reading at home or playing outdoor games.
The study also says students tend to perform much better if their parents are actively involved in their homework.
Broadly, the study indicates that primary school pupils are continuing to perform well in maths, when tested across a number of key areas.
Falling standards in maths has been a key issue at second level for several years. This year, about 4,000 students failed ordinary-level maths at Leaving Cert level.
Concern has also been raised about the low numbers taking higher-level maths in the exam.
Internationally, Irish 15-year-olds are in mid-table when it comes to performance in maths.
Broadly, the results from the survey on primary pupils are encouraging. However, the survey shows no improvement in the key problem-solving skills area.
Minister for Education Mary Hanafin said last night there had been a marked improvement in several key areas, including "their ability to reason, their performance in algebra, their understanding of shape and space and their ability to manage data".
Earlier this year, the Department's chief inspector in maths was sharply critical of Leaving Cert standards. Many students, he said, had been content to learn material by rote and there was little focus on problem-solving.
The survey was taken before the new maths curriculum was fully implemented.
Ms Hanafin said the new curriculum was "much more focused on problem-solving, discovery and understanding as well as providing children with 'hands-on experience' so they can then relate what they learn in the classroom to the world around them".
The survey was conducted by the Educational Research Centre at St Patrick's College, Drumcondra. INTO general secretary John Carr said the report showed pupils doing well in maths despite few resources, large class sizes and no extra learning support.
National maths week: page 15
