CBSE weighs the pros, cons of homework

September 12, 2014 02:06 am | Updated 02:06 am IST - CHENNAI:

How much homework is too much homework? What should it aim to achieve? Is it alright to use the internet to do homework?

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is trying to gauge answers to these questions, through an online feedback form on its website. It has invited principals, teachers, students and other stakeholders from affiliated schools to answer questions and offer suggestions to explore alternatives to homework in classes VI to VIII.

The form notes that while some schools have been giving creative and meaningful assignments, there are many where homework is viewed as a “burdensome activity, by teachers, and a monotonous, time-consuming activity, by students and parents”.

S. Namasivayam, senior principal, Maharishi Vidya Mandir, said the board has been insisting that schools regulate both book load and homework.

“We retain notebooks of children up to class V and they only carry what is necessary. Students start getting homework only from class VI, and it is a novel idea to get feedback. We have passed on information to parents as well,” he said.

At B.S. Mootha Senior Secondary School, principal Sudha Malini said they reserve homework for weekends or holidays, as both parents work in many instances.

The form covers aspects such as the time spent, per week, on homework in a subject in each of the classes, the purpose of assigning it, and the marking methodology. It questions stakeholders on how homework aids teaching, and how schools should respond when a child does not complete it. Through this initiative, the board expects to offer suggestions to schools, based on the feedback.

0 / 0
Sign in to unlock member-only benefits!
  • Access 10 free stories every month
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign-up/manage your newsletter subscriptions with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early access to discounts & offers on our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments.

We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of The Hindu and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.