Maharashtra: Despite CM Eknath Shinde snub, schools find merit in ‘no-homework’

Representative Image

While Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has struck down state Education Minister Deepak Kesarkar's suggestion to announce ‘no homework' for school students, the proposal has received support and applause from several private schools and academicians. Swati Popat Vats, founder director of Podar Jumbo Kids, told mid-day, "It's a good comment coming from the education minister and I hope this will have an impact." What he said is absolutely right, the kind of homework that schools have been giving is more of a drill exercise which ends up boring the children and does not help them learn," Swati Vats added.

Also read: Mumbai: 11 per cent of teaching posts at BMC schools vacant

An expert said the burden of homework often takes a toll on the health of students apart from taking away from their time to interact with others or play. Representation pic

Kesarkar last Friday said the state government was contemplating doing away with homework for all school-going children, especially for those in Std I-IV. "Students should not be overburdened. It is critical to ensure their brain development. Furthermore, the government believes that homework should not be an easy way out for teachers. Instead, a teacher should focus on his/her class in a way that students do not need to rely on homework," Kesarkar had said in Pune.

The minister, however, clarified that this was just a suggestion and needed to be discussed with the CM and stakeholders in the education sector. "The proposal was in its initial stages and I was planning to hold discussions with CM, teachers' associations, and academicians before drafting a final plan on the implementation of such an order," Kesarkar said.

However, talking to media persons on Saturday, CM Shinde said, "This government is of and for the common people. So, the government will only take decisions that are in favour of its people, whether it is teachers, students or others. No decision has been made yet to end or ban homework in schools. Further, the government will not take any decision that will lead to academic loss of students."

Proposal gets praise

Talking to mid-day, Vats said, "Instead of homework as we know it, what would help the kids is the concept of home play wherein children play with something or do some project where they get to implement what they have learnt. For example, after teaching students numbers, we ask them if they have used this knowledge to count something, like biscuits or steps. Real life application is how learning is strengthened. The age-old concept of assessing knowledge or learning based on number of pages needs to be done away with."

Swati Popat Vats, founder-director, Podar Jumbo Kids

Praising Kesarkar's suggestion, Dr Veena Shirvastava, campus head of Gopi Birla Memorial School in Walkeshwar, said, "Nowadays, what's happening in many schools is that the teachers are teaching the syllabus, but the question and answer part is being given as homework. I think this is wrong. If the homework is in the form of reflection or research, or even a form of revision and self-study, it would be a good practice."

Sunayana Awasthi, principal of Orchids The International School, Mulund, said, "Teachers and schools profess that homework is an integral part of learning and is for the betterment of students. But it can also have other impacts on the students. The load of homework leads to sleep deprivation and other health problems such as headaches, exhaustion, sleep deprivation, weight loss and stomach problems. It also means less time for friends, family and extracurricular pursuits, hence keeping them from their developmental needs or cultivating other critical life skills."

Teachers not in favour

The education minister's suggestion, however, has not gone down well with the teachers' organisations in the state. Vijay Kombe, secretary of Maharashtra State Primary Teachers' Association, said, "It is one thing to expect homework to be interesting and engaging for students while posing no stress on parents, but a mandatory rule of no homework is undoubtedly detrimental to pupils' academic futures."

Arundhati Chavan, president, Parent Teachers Association United Forum

Some also feel that if such a policy is implemented it will further widen the learning gap among students who have just started attending physical schools after a gap of two years owing to the pandemic. Arundhati Chavan, president of Parent Teachers Association United Forum, said, "Homework cannot be banned totally. Students need homework in some form, else how will they connect with what is taught in the classroom? Homework is important, but schools just need to get innovative rather than just making kids write Q and As or repetitive things."

Sushil Shejule, coordinator of Marathi Shala Sansthachalak Sangh and a member of Marathi Abhyaas Kendra, told mid-day, "The mere idea of the government thinking about doing away with homework is scary. There are many issues that need immediate attention like shortage of teachers, condition of schools etc. Further, while talking about no-homework, the education minister had said that the idea is to boost extra-curricular activities among students, then why is the government not appointing full-time art and sports teachers? How can an education minister just say things in public without consulting experts and understanding the situation on the ground? Also, what will students from rural areas, who do not have access to the internet or basic amenities like electricity, do without homework?"