The Irish education system provides a holistic education for children - Leaving Cert Home Economics - Question 3(c) - 2022

Several factors converge to influence the educational achievement of school children, including:

1. Parental Attitude: The support and expectations that parents have regarding education greatly influence a child's performance. Positive reinforcement and encouragement often lead to better academic outcomes.

2. Family Size: In larger families, resources such as time and financial support may be stretched, which can impact individual attention given to each child, thereby affecting their educational achievement.

3. Home Environment: A stable and enriched home environment promotes learning. Factors such as access to books, learning materials, and a designated study space play significant roles.

4. Locality: The neighbourhood can influence access to quality educational facilities. Children in under-resourced areas often have limited access to extracurricular activities and educational support services.

5. School Environment: The quality of schools, including teacher competence, resources, and extracurricular offerings, significantly impacts student learning. Schools with strong community ties and mentoring programs can provide additional support.

6. Intellectual Ability: Individual capabilities, including cognitive skills and learning styles, affect how children acquire knowledge and perform academically.

7. Peer Influence: The social dynamics among peers can motivate or hinder academic performance, as children often gauge their efforts based on those around them.