Mumbai: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has reiterated its order about not giving homework to Class 1 and 2 students in schools. Following the circular issued by the board, city schools have initiated the concept of “classwork” instead of homework, and prefer giving “activities” for weekends and vacations.
The CBSE reiterated its order after the Madras high court last week pulled up the board for not implementing the court’s order banning homework for these students.
“Activities” include visiting a park; talking about certain topics with grandparents, parents or guardians; drawing what is seen during the day etc. Kalpana Diwedi, principal, St. Joseph’s High School (CBSE), Panvel, said, “These students are too small to do homework and hence, following the circular that was issued earlier by the CBSE, we have stopped giving them homework. Instead, we give them small activities, which they carry out with the help of their parents. Adding to this, we sometimes conduct class activities too for them before or during school hours.”
The circular states, “In compliance with the directions of the Madras high court dated May 29, 2018, it is once again reiterated that schools may ensure that no homework is given to Classes 1 and 2.”
Archana Goenka, trustee and academic director of C.P Goenka International School said “Grade 1 and 2 are very young to do homework per se in the conventional sense, but we call it more of a reflection-based learning. So, we do give work to be done at home more like a home connect which is reflecting on the work done in the school. We give it because the ideology and methodology followed by us in school is any which ways application of knowledge and not promote rote learnin.” Fatima Agarkar, educationist and co-founder of K.A. EduAssociates, said, “These are young children just stepping into their primary years and getting used to longer days at school. With foundational skills taught, a lot can be done in school to allow students some downtime when they reach home.”
A principal said, “We conduct parent-teacher (PTA) meetings every month and during the session, we discuss about the children, their behavioural changes, mental growth, and accordingly decide what is best for them and their growth.”
