Eamonn Holmes has called for lessons in “resilience” to be added to the national curriculum, warning that modern teenagers are "buckling under pressure".
The GB News presenter made the comments during a discussion about how today’s young people cope with stress, after his co-host Ellie Costello read out a viewer’s message comparing past generations to the present.
"Some of us were self-sufficient," the viewer wrote. "At 15, we were growing our own food, collecting fuel for fires, and doing paper rounds not glued to phones and social media all the time."
Eamonn agreed, saying: "That’s a very good point. Absolutely right. People were fighting in the First and Second World Wars at 15, 16, 17. Pressure was just part of life.”
Eamonn Holmes said that kids should just 'be more resilient'
|GB NEWS
Reflecting on his own experience at school, he said young people today are shielded from the kind of expectations that "built character".
"I just think we should teach kids to be more resilient," he said.
"You can’t just say they’ve buckled. We see that in the data sometimes. I could bore you silly with all the pressure we had at school, what was expected of us, the zero tolerance for leniency but we got through it.”
Eamonn added that, despite the challenges, those difficult years had a lasting, positive impact, saying “Looking back, I can honestly say those were happy days in my life."
Co-host Ellie Costello agreed, suggesting that resilience could even be taught as part of school life. “Maybe resilience needs to be taught in the national curriculum,” she said.
Eamonn backed the idea, responding: “Maybe we need to focus more on teaching kids how to be resilient and say, look, you don’t need to worry so much.”
The Government confirmed plans to overhaul England’s national curriculum, with new lessons on AI and budgeting set to be introduced in schools
| GETTYThe discussion came as the Government confirmed plans to overhaul England’s national curriculum, with new lessons on AI and budgeting set to be introduced in schools by 2028.
It follows a major review which found that GCSE students in England face an "excessive" number of exams compared to other countries.
The review also warned that pupils are under "intense and elongated" pressure during the exam period, with calls for test time to be reduced by 10 per cent.
Supporters say the changes will give pupils more time for practical learning and mental health support but critics argue that schools should focus on discipline, work ethic and resilience instead.
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Research shows rising levels of stress, anxiety and low confidence among teenagers, with many struggling to cope with online pressures and academic demands.
Campaigners have urged ministers to make “emotional education” part of the school curriculum to help children develop coping mechanisms from an early age.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: "It has been over a decade since the national curriculum was updated, and it’s more crucial than ever that young people are equipped to face the challenges of today, so they can seize the exciting opportunities that life has to offer."