ICSE board shuns home assignments for students till Std VI

Representational picture

In news that's got students from Indian Certificate of Secondary Education-affiliated schools celebrating, the board has announced that henceforth, there will be no homework assignments for children till Std VI.

The new policy was issued after the general body meeting of the Council for Indian School Certificate Examination (CISCE). At the meeting, it was also decided that schools would no longer give assignments during long holiday breaks.

"Homework can only be given without detriment to the health and well-being of pupils if judicious control is exercised by the heads of schools. The collaboration and cooperation of specialist teachers is also essential.

The amount of written work to be done at home must be controlled and there must be a proper division of written and reading homework," reads the new regulation regarding homework.

It further gives guidelines for homework, limiting assignments that can be given to students from Std VI and above. "At the middle classes (Std VI to VIII) formal homework should not be set, but pupils may be required to keep diaries, take up one or two projects or a hobby, suitable not only to their tastes and abilities, but also the financial positions of the parents," the note reads.

Welcoming the move, Fr Francis Swamy, principal of St Mary's School, said, "The ICSE board has been very progressive and is trying to bring in student-friendly learning experiences."

Girija Mohan, director of Chatrabhuj Narsee Memorial School, Vile Parle, said, "A little practice at home is obviously required and students are willingly doing it. It is up to the schools to ensure that this learning is not burdensome for children."

Dhannajay Junnarkar, a parent whose daughter is in Std VI at St Francis School, Borivli, said, "The council may have said no to homework, but they should re-examine what kind of projects and assignments are given to children. Sometimes, they are so tough that parents are forced to complete the task."