More fun and less homework, say Greens

LESSONS

Girl studying at home

PRIMARY schools should stop giving pupils homework and focus on classroom teaching, the Scottish Greens have said.

The party will launch its election manifesto this week with a bold call to reduce demands on younger kids outside of school so they can spend more time socialising as lockdown eases.

The Greens argue that many pupils have been left isolated from their pals as a result of repeated school closures over the last year, with their social development being affected as a result.

The party cites research by education experts at the University of Stirling which suggests homework can worsen inequality as it disadvantages children whose home environment makes completing it difficult.

Ross Greer, the Greens’ education spokesman, said: “Too often we see homework issued because that’s the way it’s always been, so that’s the way we expect it to be today. In reality, research has found that this often isn’t helping children’s learning and can in fact be deeply unhelpful.

“After a year full of remote working from home, the last thing children and families need once schools reopen is to bring even more work home. We know from research that this creates a negative association with school and learning from a young age.”

He added: “Moving on from a year of restrictions on meeting friends and playing together, we need to ensure that children are free to go outdoors and socialise, rather than stuck inside completing homework which isn’t actually helping them.

“Ending homework in primary schools benefits everyone, pupil, family and teacher.”