by Chu Chin Kwok

Created on: July 22, 2009   Last Updated: July 24, 2009

WHY HOMEWORK IS IMPORTANT

The issue of homework has been discussed at length by many education professionals and it is safe to say that homework has more or less received universal acceptance at least among the informed parents and enlightened members of education fraternities. No one, I think, would seriously question the necessity of homework although many might disagree on the correct amount of homework to be given to students.

Generally speaking, the amount of homework should be minimal for elementary school pupils - especially those from Grades 1 to 3; and the homework dished out to these young children should take the form of simple and short assignments not taking not much of the pupils' time when they return home from regular classes. As they grow older, in accordance with the complexity of the course curriculum and degree of difficulty of the programs offered by schools, students have to spend much more time on homework and assignments.

I append below some of the most important and obvious reasons why homework is important:

1. Homework consolidates and reinforces learning

Students receive instruction and learn what the school teachers teach in various subject-matters - ranging from elementary arithmetic to construction of simple English sentences; and one way to consolidate classroom learning is by assigning homework to the students. After a math teacher has introduced the notion of addition and subtraction in class, it is opportune for him or her to give many examples, both from everyday, real-life examples and otherwise. And although it may not be a bad idea (especially if there is still time after the examples) to ask the class to do some simple arithmetic sums and subtractions immediately after the examples, it is also good practice to give some homework, from specified work-sheets of textbooks or other source-materials. This helps to consolidate what is learned in class.

Homework is even more important for high school students as not all students understand instantly what is being taught or what the teachers are trying to disseminate: a difficult concept, a complex formula or equation - all these take time and effort to sink in the learners' mind and one way this can be achieved is through working out assignments and homework.

2. Homework teaches students to be disciplined and responsible

This second reason is perhaps more applicable to older students - those in middle and senior high schools. As the students grow older and progress

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