Based on the situation in the Northern Territory

Homework is an issue that continues to be debated in education. Some educators believe in homework, while others would like to discount it. Similarly, some parents appreciate homework, while others would like it abolished. Those favouring homework believe it reinforces and consolidates learning through extra practice at home. Opposition to homework comes from those who think ‘enough is enough’; that beyond the school day, children should be freed from learning tasks.

Some parents and commentators suggest that homework is the teacher’s way of assigning parents responsibilities. Homework should never be offered as a substitute for teaching. However, lessons taught at school can be consolidated and reinforced through follow-up tasks completed at home. Homework can link home and school, helping keep parents informed of what their children are learning and how they are progressing.

Parents must know assignments are set for children, rather than believing tasks are set for them to complete on behalf of children.

Primary students

For primary-aged children, reading, spelling list words, and practising their tables at home reinforce basic learning needs. The rote methodology is a part of learning, and homework is set around the basics and reinforces key understandings.

These tasks may be attached to a comments sheet that parents and teachers can sign off on and comment on. This simple communication helps keep parents aware of children’s academic development. Progress charts kept by some teachers remind students of their accomplishments. Homework should have relevance and meaning to children and parents. It must be more than busy work set by teachers.

Homework might ask for the completion of a research project or construction task. Requirements ought not be so complex or time consuming that parental intervention is needed to complete the exercise. Homework is for children, not an assignment for parents. Homework tasks set for students should be acknowledged, marked and outcomes recorded. If that doesn’t happen, children lose interest.

In some primary schools, outside school hours care programs offer homework support for attending children. This may include supervised after hours access to the school library. The City of Darwin Council also makes its library facilities available to children for homework support purposes.

Establishing homework habits in younger students will help them in their later years of secondary and tertiary education. It will build their confidence and independence, together with the knowledge that studying at home is part of their educational contract. It can also be one way for parents to keep in touch with their children’s learning and progress.