Pros and Cons of Teachers Giving Homework for Students

Here is a joke from the internet “Why did the student eat his homework?” For an element of suspense, the ending of this joke will arrive shortly. In the meantime, we shall debate over homework, a universally integral part of the education system that students love to hate.

Arguments have been stated for and against homework for many years, reinventing the opinions from teachers, students, and parents from across the globe. There are several advantages of homework, but the downsides have revealed some disadvantages of homework as well. Leisure time, study skills, time management, and hobbies are elements in all students’ lives and are inversely or directly proportional to homework. In traditional views, homework is a way to reinforce academic learning, but at the same time, it is considered counterproductive. In this blog, we will explore this contentious issue around homework, understand its pros and cons, and explore some desirable solutions. But first, the joke, why did the student eat his homework? Well, the teacher told him it was a piece of cake!

First, we will debunk some of the pros of homework:

1. Develops study skills: To excel in life or any task you put your mind to, you require transferable skills such as self-discipline, organizational skills, and time management. These positive skills can be instilled in student routines from a young age by administering adequate homework. Students learn to manage their time by prioritizing their daily tasks and responsibly following a schedule. They learn to organize their workload by following a system centric to their goals, tracking their work, and ensuring timely completion. Self-control and focus are crucial while completing homework; by practicing at home, students develop a sense of self-discipline that will aid them in succeeding in the current fast-paced world.
2. Increases parental involvement: Homework is important to be administered because it encourages parents to participate in their child’s academic growth. Parents may monitor their child’s educational development and assist them in overcoming obstacles. The collaborative effort of solving problems together is a healthy way to spend time together as a family and develop a deeper bond with each other. Parents can closely monitor topics taught at school and how their kid is coping with the study materials and the curriculum. Parents can play an active part in their children’s education by keeping themselves aware of the curriculum, imparting support, and interacting with their teachers for feedback and progress. This collaborative approach can benefit students by instilling a good attitude toward learning and ensuring they receive the assistance required to excel in their studies.
3. Teach time management: When students learn to prioritize tasks and manage their time to meet deadlines, they hone one of the most vital skills of life, time management. Top nursery schools in Bangalore administer homework to children, helping them develop this skill from a very young age. Time is precious, and learning ways to effectively schedule academic tasks will ultimately inculcate a sense of responsibility and help them achieve better academic progress for long-term success. They learn to break down large tasks into smaller, more manageable ones, estimate how much time each will require, and prioritize them according to deadlines; these skills are transferable and are applicable in other areas of life. If you closely observe your daily habits and tasks, you will realize how integral time management is.
4. Allows more learning time: When students complete their homework, they not only repeat their lessons but also spend more time learning concepts that are easier to revise right before examinations and tests. By extending their learning beyond the classroom, they can research topics, read additional books, and practice skills that help develop a deeper understanding and knowledge of the subject. Think about it: students spend over 6 hours in school studying various concepts; the vast amount of knowledge from numerous topics is a challenge for students to absorb in a day; however, homework allows students to revisit these topics, ask questions to their teachers, and explore topics of interest by themselves. Additional learning time is one of the core benefits of homework that most of us fail to realize while dreading the idea of studies.

Now, these are some of the cons of homework:

1. School is already a full-time commitment for kids: When you divide your day by the hours you spend sleeping, performing essential activities, and traveling, you have up to another 12 hours left to work and fit other activities into your daily schedule. Similarly, children spend about 6–8 hours of their daily time studying at school, which leaves them very little time to indulge in a hobby, play at home, or even spend quality time with the family when they have a lot of homework due. Sometimes children are expected to complete assignments in more than one subject. We all know writing homework is daunting, and working on more than one subject is not only terrifying, but will consume more quality leisure time that is just as significant for children in their daily lives. This full-time commitment could serve as a restriction to other activities and aspects of life.

To summarize, with valid arguments on the pros and cons of homework, the debate remains ongoing. While school homework is highly beneficial, it also has some negative consequences, so how do we tackle the issue? A simple solution would be to strike a balance. Equilibrium is critical in reinforcing learning as homework in a qualitative rather than a quantitative manner. Teachers can guarantee that their students acquire the advantages of homework without suffering from its negatives by analyzing the purpose of the assignment and limiting the quantity of homework assigned. A balanced homework program should provide students with extended learning opportunities, not be time-consuming, allow students to indulge in extra-curricular activities, motivate students to engage with academics and personal goals simultaneously, not impact their lifestyle, allow room for creativity, and be administered with achievable deadlines to reduce stress, keeping in mind their physical and mental well-being.

The role of parents is also vital as it shows support to their children, motivating them to communicate and seek help wherever necessary; essentially, homework given by teachers should seem like a piece of cake to students. For parents looking for international board schools in Bangalore, CMRNPS is a renowned institution known for its academic excellence and balanced curriculum that caters to new-age learners. The student-centric model is curated to emphasize providing equal importance to the educational and personal goals of learners; advanced study material utilized by teachers ensures that learning outcomes include not only better grades but also a balanced lifestyle, essential life skills, and emotional development, all while considering students’ overall well-being.