Phoebe Burgess has defended comments she made on Today Extra about teachers, adding she is “deeply upset and embarrassed”.
The TV presenter, who is married to NRL star Sam Burgess, was asked about banning homework for children during a Today Extra segment, to which she responded that she supported homework and thought teachers should be issuing it.
“I think it’s plain lazy to say you don’t have time,” Phoebe said.
“You clock off at 3pm. Make the time.”
The pregnant 27-year-old defended herself, but also expressed regret for the comments in her lengthy online response to the backlash that ensued.
Commenting on an Instagram post, the freelance writer first thanked those who “took the time to express your frustrations” before talking about how highly she regarded teachers.
“I am deeply upset, and embarrassed, that my poorly expressed point and, I accept, flippant remark has lead you to believe I don’t hold the teaching profession in the highest regard,” Phoebe wrote.
Listen: Should kids have homework? On the This Glorious Mess podcast. Post continues below.
She said she didn’t want to justify her comments, but to “hopefully clarify them”.
“I have minutes to form an opinion to generate discussion and never have I so badly been misinterpreted, or caused offence, with years of doing this.”
“I accept your frustration, though I do not accept I am calling all, or any, teachers lazy.
“My issue was with the reasons given in our referenced article to dismiss homework completely.”
Top Comments
Actually the research shows that homework is definitely not the cornerstone of learning. Someone needs to direct her to Halliday's meta analysis so she can form an informed and educated opinion. You would think that someone with a BA (m comms) would care about what the evidence shows.
Hilarious back peddle. She meant exactly what she said. She was not misrepresented. She said the words that were recorded in response to a question. Pathetic attempt to save herself...