Students going into sixth year don't need extra classes to catch-up on any missed work, according to an education expert.
Arthur Godsil, former headmaster of St Andrew's College Dublin and director of Godsil Education, says students are already facing enough pressure without the prospect of extra classes next year.
It comes amid claims that longer school days and weekend classes may be needed in September to make up for lost teaching time.
The Sunday Independent reported that the ESRI has also suggested 'reducing the amount of time pupils spend on non-exam subjects'.
Speaking on Newstalk Breakfast, Mr Godsil dismissed the prospect of extra classes as 'not helpful'.
He said: "Students have enough pressure already this year without adding to it - they don't need extra classes, in my view.
"We should not be reducing the amount of time spent on non-exam classes. That really smacks of academic snobbery, which I believe plays down the value of anything done in school that's not on the course."
Mr Godsil acknowledged there were differences between how some schools handled online classes, with some schools having difficulties trying to manage the shift to online teaching.
However, he said it's 'not acceptable' to be causing further stress for incoming sixth year students with the prospect of more classes.
He reiterated his call for greater choice to be offered on exam papers, as most students would have finished a significant majority of the coursework.
He added that more options mean students would not be forced to answer questions where course coverage may be weak.
