Pupils’ burden getting heavier

Caught in the middle: Experts believe being overwhelmed with homework can have a negative impact on pupils.

PETALING JAYA: The issue of pupils lugging heavy schoolbags has been a long-standing complaint but it is getting heavier than ever.

Repeated reminders by the Education Ministry not to weigh pupils down with too many workbooks appear to be ignored, with the children still suffering while school authorities and parents point the finger at each other.

The problem, the topic of heated online discussions lately, is not just because of schools and teachers.

Overzealous parents who demand that their children be given more homework are also at fault.

But experts warn that all this extra work could cause psychological and physical harm instead of making pupils smarter.

Former education director-general Tan Sri Alimuddin Mohd Dom said parents sometimes get carried away.

“They forget the meaning of education. It’s about producing holistic pupils and building character.

“Teachers must explain this to parents instead of just giving in to their demands for more homework,” he added.

He said the ministry has been discussing how to curb the heavy bag issue for over a decade now.

“It’s a health hazard to carry over 10 books to school daily,” he said.

Deputy Education Minister Datuk P. Kamalanathan, when contacted, advised parents not to pressure their children.

He said schools should adhere to the ministry’s workbook circular. In 2000 and 2004, the ministry instructed schools to discontinue workbooks for Year One and Two.

Year Three and older pupils are limited to one additional workbook each for Bahasa Melayu, English, Mandarin, Mathematics and Science.

Malaysian Mental Health Asso­ciation deputy president Datuk Dr Andrew Mohanraj said the kiasu attitude among parents was detrimental to learning and social behaviour. Children should enjoy learning and not be forced to cram information while swamped with workbook tasks, he said.

“Being overwhelmed with homework can have negative effects. They become selfish, self-centred adults lacking in empathy,” he said.

Child therapist Priscilla Ho said parents today are “very much more kiasu” than before.

They are worried about their children falling behind, so they conform to what other parents do.

“A child doesn’t just learn from homework. Life experiences are invaluable too,” said Ho.

National Union of the Teaching Profession secretary-general Harry Tan said parents should “stop trying to keep up with the Joneses”.

“Some headmasters recommend that parents buy more workbooks,” he said.

Those who complained were told that the books were optional but their child’s progress “might be slower” without them.

Recently, Deputy Education Minister Datuk Chong Sin Woon said parents, particularly from the Chinese community, had urged schools to give more homework, resulting in the “heavy bag phenomenon”.

But loading pupils with workbook exercises did not equate to a better education, Chong noted.

Aside from textbooks, pupils carry up to three extra workbooks per subject, causing their bags to weigh up to 10kg.

Dr Andrew said heavy bags could also affect a child’s spine: “It can cause pain and stress, resulting in muscle and joint problems even if the bag has wheels.”

National Union of Heads of Schools (Selangor branch) chairman Hor Jun Hin said teachers do not simply assign homework for fun but for the pupils’ benefit.

“Homework and workbooks are for learning. For example, to learn the Chinese language, pupils must practise writing,” he said.