Home School Hub: RTÉ will broadcast TV classes for primary school children from today

RTÉ is aiming to support children and their parents at home by broadcasting an hour of “school on TV” each morning 

Ireland’s national broadcaster has announced it will broadcast over an hour of “school on TV” to support both primary school children and their parents while they are at home.

The show called Home School Hub will have its first outing today.

This cross-platform initiative was developed by RTÉ and Macalla Teo at short notice in light of recent events with support from the Department of Education and Mary Immaculate College. The show will be broadcast from 11-12 pm Monday to Friday on RTÉ 2 and will be aimed at pupils in 1st to 6th class.

Three bilingual teachers will present three short class segments from a real primary school classroom. The programme will also be available on RTÉ Player along with relevant worksheets and material for students to work on after the class.

At 4.15 pm the show will be broadcast once more and will give the kids an opportunity to take over as RTÉ will showcase video messages and content created by the primary school children. This is in an effort to get them to reconnect and engage with schooling and their peers.

Behind the scenes at RTÉ Home School Hub. Health & Safety and social distancing are a priority and everyone is still smiling! pic.twitter.com/jzVaKTYcUf

— Micheal Mac Suibhne (@MicMacSuibh) March 26, 2020

Structured learning

Suzanne Kelly, Group Head of Children’s and Young People’s Content said of the action: “Children are already facing increased disruption to their everyday lives due to school closures, cancelled activities and more but we are aiming to help children and parents cope during these times of uncertainty.

“Kids may be stuck inside but with RTÉ providing structured learning for both kids and parents we will keep everyone busy and occupied. Our goal is to ease the burden on parents with an easily accessible source of education for their kids.”

While Minister for Education and Skills Joe McHugh TD said: ‘This is a great initiative, so well done to everyone involved in bringing it together so quickly. RTÉ is doing its bit to bring the classroom to the living room.”

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