Readers’ poll supports end of homework for primary school pupils

Is homework for primary school children necessary? Seven in 10 people who responded to a Courier survey think not.

With the Scottish Greens proposing to scrap homework for younger pupils in their election manifesto, readers were asked what they thought of sending maths, reading and other tasks home.

And 70.63% of those who took part said homework should not be issued to primary school pupils, with 29.37% saying it should.

Debate over homework before secondary school has rumbled on for decades. Is it more important than ever, given the amount of class time they have missed out on over the past year?

Or does it put extra pressure on children already affected by the pandemic when they should be outside playing?

The Greens state primary homework should end and points to a “wealth of evidence” that it does not lead to greater academic achievement and can create a negative association with school work.

Party education spokesman Ross Greer said the stance was taken after many conversations with parents and following a report for the party last year written by Dr Kylie Bradfield and Professor Mark Priestley of Stirling University.

He said: “Parents will have an expectation of homework because it was what they got when they were at school.

“They worry if their child isn’t getting homework they will fall behind.

“That’s not what the research shows. A lot of the studies, particularly over the last 20 years or so, show the opposite.”

Our poll prompted debate on social media. Wendy Robb agreed there should be no homework, stating differing ability of parents to help their children with it created inequity.

She said: “Let them enjoy their time at home making memories instead of projects.”

But parent Sharon Bain said her son’s school had stopped giving out homework, adding: “I now only get to find out how he is doing through a report card or parents’ evening so, as a parent, I really wish they would bring it back.”

“Let them enjoy their time at home making memories instead of projects

DIFFICULT QUESTION: Parents and their young children have to wrestle with the demands of homework and there are doubts about its value.