School, academics and homework. The one thing which is common in every child’s academic life all around the world is the burden of completing school homework. The traditional belief of teachers and parents is that homework helps a child to exercise his / her ability and develop in the long run.

However, there is more to this subject than what meets the eye.

Let us look at certain negative aspects of the homework system, which affects the students as well as their parents, directly or indirectly.

1. Students Are Overwhelmed By Lengthy Homework

Schools are supposed to be fun and joyful. This is supposed to be the most memorable time in our life. Typically, the same homework is given to the entire class. Our schools are not designed to judge to abilities of individual students and give them homework according to their capabilities. This makes the homework, easy for some students, while it breaks backs of some other. It just takes away from the pleasure of attending school.

An average student’s academic revolves around going to school and getting back home with a long list of homework to finish on a daily basis. So they tend to spend numerous hours on their homework after a long hard day at school. In the hustle to finish the assigned homework and fill their notebooks, students fail to learn anything productive about a specific subject.

For instance, scribbling the definition of ‘Precipitation’ and mumbling it again and again, will never make a child understand how it rains unless he/she is taught the same with real-life examples. School should be a platform to gain productive knowledge rather than an arena to combat with the work assigned.

2. Family Time is Valuable

Parents either help their children in their homework, or they leave them alone so that children can complete the homework in solace. With nuclear families and working parents, the interaction between a child and the parent has already gone down. Children get to spend very little time with their parents. If the homework is taking away that little time too, it can disturb the family bonding of the modern Indian family. If children are assigned with less homework to complete, they are more likely to find time for themselves and their family as well.

3. Discourages Creative Endeavors

Every child possesses different skills and interests. Yet, the children have to go through the same subjects. If a child does not like Science, for instance, Science class homework is never going to excite him. The robotic practice of completing daily homework hinders the growth of innovation and creativity in a child. All the time that a child gets beyond schooling should be dedicated to doing something which the child loves.

4. Less Time to Socialize

Socializing is a part of growing up which must be an essential aspect in every child’s life, especially considering the current demand of social skills required to thrive in this competitive world. Communication is a critical factor while growing up and the development of this skill helps an individual to succeed in the professional world as well. With homework to complete, students can barely afford the time to socialize and communicate with their peers. It can, in the long run, result in social awkwardness for individual children. Communication bridges the gap between a student and their peer group, which impacts the overall development of the child.

5. Induces Depression and Anxiety

Children are sensitive. The monotony of the everyday homework and school schedule can affect a child mentally. Every day starts with 5 to 6 hours of school which is then typically followed up with additional classes/tuitions. And finally, after a long day of turmoil, the student gets within the comforts of home only to start working on the tons of assignment given for the day.

This robotic routine can result in mood swings and eventually cause anxiety, leading to depression in young children.

6. Limited Extracurricular Activity

Additional academic pressure is responsible for eradicating any talent that a child may possess in a creative or extracurricular field. It can either be music, athletics, or any other form of art which the child might be really good at. Rather than burdening the student with academic homework, parents/teachers should also try to focus on developing such unique skills that the child may possess in other diverse fields. Concentration only on academics will only diminish the child’s confidence. A balance between the two domains is an essential requirement for the child to lead a successful life in future.

Rather than burdening and overloading them with homework, teachers should look to educate children in the classroom by adopting innovative techniques. The most essential factor is to understand the requirement of a child. Making education fun and exciting is the only way students can actually gain knowledge in the long run. Hence, the culture of bulk homework needs reformation so that a better environment for learning and education can be created.

I want us, teachers and parents, to impartially approach this subject and let me know what you think in the comments section of this blog.