Free kids of the burden of homework

School children are using mobile phone applications to do their homework, which seem to be increasing with each passing session, during summer vacations. But instead of criticizing students for their behavior, we should say no to excessive homework. This is important because by using mobile phone apps to do their homework, students don't add much to their knowledge, says an article in Guangzhou-based Yangcheng Evening News. Excerpts:

Using mobile phone apps to do homework is no different from copying from someone else's work. This is the opinion of an overwhelming number of teachers. Students who seek cell phone apps help to do their homework will pay dearly during major exams when they cannot seek the help of such applications, the teachers say.

The heavy load of homework Chinese students are burdened with - said to be the heaviest in the world - has boosted the popularity of these applications.

Senior high school students in China rarely go to bed before 11 pm. A report in Shanghai issued in 2013 showed that students in the city on average spend 28.2 hours in class every week, the 9th highest among 65 countries and regions surveyed. Also, they spend an average of 13.8 hours a week doing homework, most in the world.

There is no association between the amount of homework one does and the amount of knowledge one gathers. In fact, a research by Australian experts shows that the result is exactly the opposite: the more hours students spend doing homework, the less proficient they will be in gaining knowledge.

The United States is one of the countries where students do little homework, but that has not impaired the country's academic status in the world.

So, it's time Chinese schools understood this fact and freed students of the unnecessary burden of homework.

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