A reduction in homework also needs better teaching

Re: "Concern over plan to reduce homework", Education, January 31.

I agree with the Education Ministry's plan to reduce students' homework in order to cut their stresses from too large an amount of homework burdens.

However, I, as a parent, am concerned over some points, such as mathematics. If teachers cannot teach students to fully understand things by when they have to do their homework, they can't have taught them successfully. Parents need to help teach and explain their homework. If children cannot finish exercises, they may get bored and reject them, so they remain stressed. In a worst case, they may have to go to school early in order to copy their friends' homework or from a key book. Eventually, they have to run to tutorial schools.

Even today, more students are experiencing difficulty with simple calculations (such as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division) - despite these being fundamental skills that they should know. At least, it helps thinking and analysis in their household's spending and income plans.

Reducing homework is not just assigning less homework. But what should be done concurrently is enhancing efficiency of teaching so students understand and enjoy their homework and learn skills that can be applied in daily life and work.

If a reduction of homework is reinforced like this, it will be meaningful and useful for students.

Sutipunt Bongsununt

Kanchanaburi