Schools staying open for longer would “solve so many headaches for parents”, a mother has argued.
At present, many primary schools finish their lessons at 2.40 and many offer no after school care whatsoever.
On The Claire Byrne Show, Irish Independent columnist Mary McCarthy said the issue is one that she has been “complaining about for a while”.
Ideally, she believes, schools should offer “basic supervision” for at least three hours after lessons end.
“It should be kind of integrated into the ecosystem of primary schools,” she argued.
“The reason why is because we're now a dual income society - most parents actually work.
“Parents are working because they have to, because it's expensive.
“There was a survey out there from the Credit Union and cost of living is the biggest worry for adults aged 35 to 55. So, I feel schools have to change.”
A group of children from a nursery school in high visibility jackets walking with teachers through a park in winter. Picture by: Gary Hider / Alamy.Ms McCarthy added that a later school day would “solve so many headaches for parents”.
“I talked to a bunch of parents and I also asked the Department of Education how many primary schools are actually offering aftercare on the premises,” she said.
“So, there's about 3,000 primary schools in Ireland and four in 10 of them offer care, which is actually probably a huge improvement.”
Ms McCarthy continued that the lack of care is “causing a lot of stress in the house and it's not good for kids”.
“You got to find a childminder or somehow manage to work from home and just have your primary school kid not really being looked after while you work or you need to cobble together loads of solutions,” she said.
“I actually had a lady on and her 10-year-old just lets herself in because she has to be in work on a Wednesday and so does her husband, so they've no option.
“Her kid just comes home, she's 10 and she has a phone - which is not ideal.”
Main image: A group of school children in school uniforms. Picture by: NorthScape / Alamy Stock Photo
