Should schools be banned from giving homework to students? This question has become divisive among the populace. Some think that homework is an effective way to reinforce the concepts learned at school. Others feel that the time spent on homework would have been better used with a meaningful activity that brings the family together.

Homework is supposed to be a bridging gap between what is learned in school and at home. However, we can not overlook the hazard it can cause to the physical and mental health of students. Here are three advantages and disadvantages of banning homework.

Advantages of Banning Homework

Here are some of the reasons why homework should be banned:

• Stress will be reduced
  Homework stress is a significant problem for most students. It is a big problem to combine chores done at home with homework after a stressful day at school. When students are given a chance to pursue interests outside school, then it can bring about healthier learning opportunities in the future for them.
• The amount of leisure time will be increased
  Students who don’t have time for leisure after school hours stand a risk of being isolated and depressed. These students lack functional connections with their peers because of their need to complete homework.
• Reduces negative health issues
  Not finishing a given homework in time may adversely affect the health of a student. This problem can lead to mental health problems, low self-esteem, disruptions in learning essential academic and creative skills.

Disadvantages of Banning Homework

Not everyone believes the bad that homework can cause outweighs the good. Here are some of the reasons why people think homework should not be banned:

• Minimizes parents involvement in a child’s learning process
  Parents need to know what their children are learning in school and how they are progressing. What a child could do is to give a general answer when asked about what happened in school. Without homework, it is challenging to stay involved in a student’s educational process.
• Discourages deeper researches
  When homework is given to students, there are more chances to use the resources at home to learn more about what has been taught at school. This process can eventually lead to a better understanding of the subjects.
• Minimizes chances of tracking students’ progress
  By periodically assigning homework to each child, there are more chances of identifying the issues that can affect the child’s learning and development. The homework allows teachers to work with the parents in developing alternative learning plans that improve the educational process for each student.

To ban homework or not is entirely subjective. While some students are positively impacted due to the homework, they receive from their teachers each day. Some students find it challenging to complete even essential homework on time because of their home environment.

If homework is to be banned, it will require teachers and parents to be proactive in their approach. Another solution is to minimize the amount of homework given to students. This solution will provide room for rest and leisure time.