Home Schooling in Co. Mayo, Ireland 1988

Two families in Mayo have made the decision to educate their children at home.
Joan and Pearse Brennan live in rural Kiltimagh County Mayo with their four children. Their two daughters attend the local school, and their two sons are educated at home.
The decision to homeschool arose following a period when the two boys were unhappy at school. This impacted the family as a whole, and the Brennans have no regrets about their children’s education,
They’re much happier, running around here and learning when they want.
Reading, writing, maths, and art are on the curriculum in the Brennan home, as well as home economics and general life skills. Joan Brennan also enjoys having her children around her,
We’re a very relaxed happy family.
Another Mayo family who have chosen to educate their children at home are Claire Weber and Nigel Epsom who live outside Newport.
Having previously lived in England, they took their oldest daughter out of school with the consent of the education authorities, as she was unhappy there, and homeschooled her.
This arrangement continued after they moved to Ireland and to date have not received any objection from the Department of Education about it. Claire Weber believes the environment suits her children,
It’s happy and they’re relaxed and they’re learning.
A teacher by profession, Claire Weber does not work to a set timetable, but specific subjects like maths and English are taught in the mornings, when the children are at their best.
The children’s socialisation is a concern however, Claire and Nigel Weber meeting up regularly with families they are friends with, as well as bringing the children to swimming and dancing lessons.
Oldest daughter Monica decided to return to mainstream education when she was eleven. Now happy attending secondary school, she is preparing for her Intermediate Certificate exams. Nigel Weber believes that they have made the right decision for their family,
It works for us, with the children...for other people it would be different.
This episode of ‘Evening Extra’ was broadcast on 18 February 1988. The reporter is Siobhán Cleary.