To Give or Not to Give, That is the Question

Image result for children busy with homework
All work and no play, makes Jack a dull boy

Quarantine Day 6
Homework. Homework. Homework.

Today the school Whatsapp and Telegram group are flooded with messages, teachers busy uploading homework materials for their students. The students are suppose to complete their homework either in their exercise books or online itself. And mind you, these homework are not only from English Language but from many other subjects as well; Maths, Science, History, to name just a few.

Is it really necessary to bog your students down with abundance of homework? Personally, I feel it is not necessary at all. Before the school holidays, we have assigned them quite a few homework to be done at home. And now, due to the MRO, again you want to give them more?

I thought this is the time for us to spend time with our family members. This is the time for us to reflect and learn something from all that's going on around us. If all this while parents have been super busy with their work and hardly have any time for their young ones, I feel now is the best time for them to catch things up. 

Learning is not only through the homework we give. Sometimes learning comes through the simple house chores they do at home. Learning comes through the games they play with their family members. They learn about responsibility, teamwork, listening to instructions, appreciating little things in life...all these do not come from books. Definitely not from the homework teachers bogged them down with. They need a break. Especially at this time at least, give them time to actually talk, play, laugh with their parents and siblings, without worrying their homework awaits them.

I don't know. This is just my thoughts. I may be wrong. Parents in Malaysia, from what I see, are becoming so "kiasu". No homework, means their kids learn nothing. Everyone is pressured. The department, the teachers, the children...sigh...One thing I know for sure is that the children will not be stupid if homework is not given to them during the MRO period.

Almost 30 years in this field, my wish to see a change in the mind set remains a dream.


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