Some people believe that school children should not be given homework by their teachers... Discuss and give your opinion

Question

Some people believe that school children should not be given homework by their teachers, whereas others argue that homework plays an important role in the education of children. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Answer 1

In recent years, whether teachers should give assignments to their students or not remains a controversial phenomenon. Although the benefits of these tasks are quite considerable, they are still overshadowed by the advantages when the students are not given homework. This essay will explain why homework should not be a part of an educational journey.

Obviously, there are some advantages when students do homework. The most significant one is that they can revise lessons previously taught at school. By doing the homework again on their own, the pupils can have a standard model for each type of task that can be given in school exams. As a result, they can perform better and more quickly in the following test. However, this method could not enhance the student’s critical thinking skills when they only apply mechanically repeat what they have learned in the same kinds of exercises at school. Moreover, today homework usually occupies too much of their time outside school, which gives them no chance to properly practice other important soft skills such as socialising or communication skills. Therefore, giving homework is not a good way with a view to developing the students.

Meanwhile, having no tasks at home would bring more noticeable benefits to the students, especially time for them in hopes of acquiring knowledge that is not taught at school. Unlike the lessons taught in school, which mainly focus on the theories, those outside the school can provide students with more practical knowledge through some workshops and local competitions held monthly or annually. Moreover, the students can spend time enhancing soft skills instead of doing homework. By joining social clubs or charity programs, these activities can give the children a chance with a view to expanding their social networking and helping their society. As a result, through these real experiences, their soft skills can be developed significantly.

In summary, we cannot ignore the benefits which can be gained by doing homework but its drawbacks are also significant. In my view, it is still better for students to spend time on other activities rather than home assignments.