Should homework be given to students during Tet?

Ms. Ha Thi Minh (Cau Giay, Hanoi) was disappointed when she saw her 7th grade son's Tet homework sheet.

"The Tet holiday is 8 days, but teachers of every subject give homework, at least 5 questions, at most more than 10 questions. In total, there are about 50 homework questions for 6 subjects. After finishing all this homework, there won't be any time left to enjoy Tet," said the parent.

Tet is a time for children to relax, rest, and gather with their extended family members. They should not only focus on completing their homework, which can create a feeling of boredom for them. Only for final year students such as grade 9 and 12 in the final stage, teachers can assign some short exercises to consolidate knowledge.

"Remembering or forgetting knowledge is a process. A few days off for Tet cannot turn a child from good to bad or vice versa," she said.

The paternal and maternal hometowns are quite far from Hanoi, and it takes a lot of time to travel, so she gives her children time to rest, celebrate the traditional New Year, learn etiquette, and visit relatives after a year away from home. Ms. Minh thinks this is more practical than exercises in books.

There are many opinions on whether or not homework should be given to students during Tet. (Illustration photo)

Sharing the same view, Ms. Le Thi Hoai (Phu Tho) supports teachers not giving homework to students during Tet. Students study 2 sessions/day, so all knowledge and exercises are solved in class. Therefore, the time at home is for children to review and prepare new lessons, spend time communicating, sharing and taking care of relatives together.

During Tet holiday, students really need to relax and enjoy the joyful atmosphere of Tet, have fun with their families after days of reviewing and completing the first semester final exam program.

Should homework be given during Tet?

According to Ms. Hoai, in addition to studying, through spring activities, communication, sharing and traveling, going back to hometown, visiting and wishing relatives a happy new year, children will also learn and experience reality, gain more life materials, skills and form personality, and cultivate qualities.

Mr. Pham Minh Phuong, Vice Principal of the University of Education High School for the Gifted, said that depending on different subjects, teachers will assign different amounts accordingly.

Teachers should only give basic requirements such as: memorizing poems, reviewing math problems, formulas... because Tet is a time for students to have fun and spend time with their families.

"If students only focus on completing a huge amount of homework, it will make them feel bored, afraid of studying, and afraid of Tet," Mr. Phuong analyzed.

In recent years, the University of Education High School for the Gifted has not required teachers to assign homework to students. Teachers have the right to decide on this issue, "mostly choosing not to assign homework during Tet".

To motivate students to adapt after Tet, in the first lessons, teachers often focus on sharing their feelings about the holiday, instead of starting the subject right away, creating a comfortable and excited spirit.

Recently, Mr. Nguyen Xuan Khang, Principal of Marie Curie School (Hanoi) also sent an open letter to teachers in the school about reiterating his promise 12 years ago not to give homework to students.

“On the occasion of the Year of the Dragon, I would like to reiterate the promise that many generations of students have loved. We will give you a comfortable, peaceful and warm Tet with your family!”, Mr. Nguyen Xuan Khang emphasized in his open letter.

Mr. Khang believes that after a semester, Tet is an opportunity for students to rest and reunite with their families. Therefore, teachers do not need to assign homework so that students can have fun and participate in family activities comfortably, without the pressure of schoolwork.

At school, for many years now, teachers have strictly instructed students not to give homework during the Lunar New Year holiday. However, before students leave school, teachers remind and encourage them to participate, help their families clean the house, cook, and talk more with relatives to strengthen their relationships.

Mr. Nguyen Quang Dat, Principal of Tay Thanh High School (Tan Phu, Ho Chi Minh City) also said that this is the first year the school has issued a notice requesting teachers not to assign homework to students during Tet in any form.

Mr. Dat said that the long Tet holiday is a time for children to reunite with their families. Therefore, teachers not assigning homework will create a comfortable and happy mindset for children to experience a complete, loving and warm Tet holiday with their families.

According to Mr. Dat, in previous years, although the school always instructed teachers not to give homework during Tet to avoid creating pressure for students, especially grade 12. However, some teachers and parents, out of pity and worry that their children would neglect their studies during the long Tet holiday and their knowledge would not be guaranteed, still gave some homework to students during Tet.

That is why this year, Tay Thanh High School sent a notice to all teachers as well as to all parents to unify their views.

Khanh Son

Source