Colman Noctor: Returning to school in a time of anxiety

'We need to focus on mental wellbeing and emotional intelligence, not the curriculum'

Going back to school can mean different things to different parents and young people. Picture: iStock 

Going back to school can mean different things to different parents and young people. You may be the parent who laments the end of the summer break, and the thought of making lunches, early starts, drop-offs and collections fills you with dread. 

Or you could be the parent who believes the school holidays are ‘far too long’ and getting the uniforms out and preparing the lunches floods you with relief.