Activist: Children loaded with too much homework

PETALING JAYA: The increasing burden of homework on children and the never-ending “heavy bag syndrome” was not the fault of the schools or parents but of the system, an education activist said.

Melaka Action Group for Parents in Education (Magpie) chairman Mak Chee Kin said academic achievements were still an obsession despite the learning-based focus of the School-Based Assessment (PBS) and Pentaksiran Tingkatan Tiga (PT3).

“We’re still exam-oriented. A few years ago, some students weren’t allowed into the Science stream because of average PT3 results.

“Parents protested as the PBS (aims to get) kids to enjoy learning rather than focus on academic results. In the end, it’s still exams that determine streaming,” he said.

Some parents maintain that textbooks are not enough for their children’s education, hence the need for workbooks which help to reinforce what students learn through exercises and practice.

Kimberly Tan, 39, said: “Take maths for example – you learn the theory from a textbook, but you still have to do sums in workbooks or you won’t improve.”

Her two primary school-going boys were given a list of “must buy” workbooks.

While she does not make them do additional exercises at home, their tutor uses extra workbooks.

She said it was unfair to blame parents for burdening pupils because it was the school that recommends the workbooks.

“If they’ve done the workbooks in school, why do they need to do more at home?” she asked.

Sally Jacobs, the mother of an eight-year-old, agreed.

“Parents and schools want extra workbooks because materials provided by the ministry are insufficient,” she said.

Irate parent Amy Geh, 39, said there was too much pressure on children today.

“There’s just no rest for them. My son really struggles to finish his work. Sometimes, he can’t.”

Her Year Two son’s school bags had to be replaced regularly because they kept falling apart.

“It’s too heavy. There are too many workbooks,” she said.

A teacher from Perak, however, said many parents want more homework for their children, so the school ordered extra workbooks although some “aren’t necessary”.

Another teacher from Kedah urged parents to help children pack according to the timetable so that their bags would not be too heavy.

Parent Action Group for Education Malaysia chairman Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim said parents and schools should agree on the number of workbooks to use.

Not all schools can provide shelves, lockers and extra workbooks as requested by parents.

“Also, not all families can afford to buy so many workbooks,” Noor Azimah said.

“If you limit the number, all pupils will be equal. If parents really want their children to do more exercises, they can do it together at home.”

She said it was important for children to balance play and study.

“This is key once a child leaves school and joins the workforce.

“Anyone can get good grades but non-academic involvement is import­ant.”