No Homework upto Class 2nd
Srinagar, April 13 : Directorate of School Education department on Thursday impressed upon all school heads to ensure that homework to the students be given as per the school bag policy 2020.
“Heavy Homework is an issue, which makes both students and parents stressed because as a general practice it needs to be completed by night and reported in the school next morning. This practice snatches the play time of child, parents’ quality time with child, activities leading to socialization with the family. This practice mars student’s creativity and there remains no space for a teacher to inculcate creativity, critical thinking and other 21″ century skills among students as envisaged in NEP-2020.” Reads the circular issued by Director School Education Kashmir, a copy of which lies with Kashmir Scroll.
“Moreover, it is often observed that homework beyond their capacity is being given to students while as Children should be given an opportunity for creative work at home in which they can take interest along with their family members. Children need to be encouraged to read books beyond curriculum at home. There is a need to discuss some of these books in the school. This will improve reading habits of children. Book clubs may be opened in the school so that children can get variety of books free of cost in the school itself.” It reads further.
“Children need to be engaged with creative activities and critical thinking, group discussions so that they can express themselves without any fear.” It reads further.
“Total Homework time as per School Bag Policy,2020 for Primary Classes shall be that no homework up to Class II and a maximum of two hours a week from Classes III-V, for Middle School (from Classes VI-VIII): A maximum of one hour a day (about five) to six hours a week), for Secondary and Higher Secondary: A maximum of two hours a day (about 10 to 12 hours a week). Teachers need to work together to plan and rationalise the amount of homework that they assign to students.” It reads further.
“Further it has been given to understand that all the concerned teachers of a particular class assign homework without coordinating with each other and thus resulting in heavy burden of homework for a student. As such it is impressed upon the all the school heads (both Government & Private) to ensure that the homework to the students is given as per the School Bag Policy 2020 replicated above and strictly adhere to the said schedule without any deviation.” It reads further—(KS)
