<![CDATA[No policy to ban Holiday homework]]>AsiaOne

Monday, Apr 09, 2012

SINGAPORE - Mr Lim Biow Chuan, MP for Mountbatten put forward to the Minister for Education, Mr Heng Swee Keat, the possibility of implementing a policy of not allowing schools to hand out homework during school holidays.

However, Mr Heng said that such a policy would be unwise as homework during the school holidays allows students to reinforce their learning.

He added that \"students and teachers have found homework to be a useful feedback mechanism to check whether students have mastered concepts and skills, and are able to apply them to different contexts\".

The amount of homework will have to calibrated to ensure that students will have enough time to take a break from their formal learning and pursue other interests as well, Mr Heng noted.

He concluded that the Ministry will continue to work closely with schools to ensure that the amount of homework given during the holidays is appropriate.

abrahamr@sph.com.sg


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Sometimes I really dislike long weekends, cos of homework, tests.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/topic/34078/no-policy-to-ban-holiday-homeworkRSS for NodeSat, 09 May 2026 01:46:20 GMTMon, 09 Apr 2012 13:29:54 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to No policy to ban Holiday homework on Sun, 06 May 2012 02:01:24 GMT]]>

fightingmom:
Chenonceau:

[quote=\"hquek\"]But if they don't mark, can use as KPI meh?


Their KPI is not how much they mark (or even how well). It's how many students get pass/distinction at PSLE. Their KPI can be achieved by failing students liberally and forcing parents to get tutors. Parents, in essence, pay tutors to help MOE teachers/schools meet their KPIs.

:yikes: So we are not kiasuparents for no reason ! For the sake of preserving our children's self esteem after one killer paper after another, we just have to engage outside help (or roll up our own sleeves) to assist our children! :rant:[/quote]Bull's Eye!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/757061https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/757061Sun, 06 May 2012 02:01:24 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to No policy to ban Holiday homework on Sun, 06 May 2012 01:56:21 GMT]]>

Chenonceau:
hquek:

But if they don't mark, can use as KPI meh?


Their KPI is not how much they mark (or even how well). It's how many students get pass/distinction at PSLE. Their KPI can be achieved by failing students liberally and forcing parents to get tutors. Parents, in essence, pay tutors to help MOE teachers/schools meet their KPIs.

:yikes: So we are not kiasuparents for no reason ! For the sake of preserving our children's self esteem after one killer paper after another, we just have to engage outside help (or roll up our own sleeves) to assist our children! :rant:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/757059https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/757059Sun, 06 May 2012 01:56:21 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to No policy to ban Holiday homework on Sun, 06 May 2012 01:47:29 GMT]]>

LOLMum:
Brenda10:

I'm not sure whether Secondary One will have homework during the school holiday.


However, I have heard from DD that for those fail the math SA1 Exam would have to go back during the school holiday for about 1 week Math remedial class.


I am unsure about remedial classes.

However, for dd, tons of homework weekly plus more during school holidays. :imdrowning:


Our case is a bit different. DD doesn't have much homework during the primary school as well as in the 1st few months in Secondary One.

During the primary school (from P3 up) we had to purchase the past year paper to practice ourselves.

IN Secondary One, she is also quite free and most of the time can still read novels, watching Drama Show or read those comics on line.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/757055https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/757055Sun, 06 May 2012 01:47:29 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to No policy to ban Holiday homework on Sun, 06 May 2012 01:28:57 GMT]]>

hquek:
But if they don't mark, can use as KPI meh?

Their KPI is not how much they mark (or even how well). It's how many students get pass/distinction at PSLE. Their KPI can be achieved by failing students liberally and forcing parents to get tutors. Parents, in essence, pay tutors to help MOE teachers/schools meet their KPIs.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/757052https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/757052Sun, 06 May 2012 01:28:57 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to No policy to ban Holiday homework on Sun, 06 May 2012 00:53:58 GMT]]>

hquek:
fightingmom:



More homework = higher KPI :scratchhead:

But if they don't mark, can use as KPI meh?

🤷 . For them (teachers) to know and for us to find out ? :?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/757043https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/757043Sun, 06 May 2012 00:53:58 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to No policy to ban Holiday homework on Sun, 06 May 2012 00:44:10 GMT]]>

fightingmom:
LOLMum:

[quote=\"Brenda10\"]I'm not sure whether Secondary One will have homework during the school holiday.


However, I have heard from DD that for those fail the math SA1 Exam would have to go back during the school holiday for about 1 week Math remedial class.


I am unsure about remedial classes.

However, for dd, tons of homework weekly plus more during school holidays. :imdrowning:

More homework = higher KPI :scratchhead:[/quote]But if they don't mark, can use as KPI meh?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/757041https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/757041Sun, 06 May 2012 00:44:10 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to No policy to ban Holiday homework on Sun, 06 May 2012 00:38:40 GMT]]>

LOLMum:
Brenda10:

I'm not sure whether Secondary One will have homework during the school holiday.


However, I have heard from DD that for those fail the math SA1 Exam would have to go back during the school holiday for about 1 week Math remedial class.


I am unsure about remedial classes.

However, for dd, tons of homework weekly plus more during school holidays. :imdrowning:

More homework = higher KPI :scratchhead:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/757040https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/757040Sun, 06 May 2012 00:38:40 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to No policy to ban Holiday homework on Sun, 06 May 2012 00:15:25 GMT]]>

Brenda10:
I'm not sure whether Secondary One will have homework during the school holiday.


However, I have heard from DD that for those fail the math SA1 Exam would have to go back during the school holiday for about 1 week Math remedial class.

I am unsure about remedial classes.

However, for dd, tons of homework weekly plus more during school holidays. :imdrowning:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/757037https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/757037Sun, 06 May 2012 00:15:25 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to No policy to ban Holiday homework on Sat, 05 May 2012 15:49:50 GMT]]>

Brenda10:
I'm not sure whether Secondary One will have homework during the school holiday.


However, I have heard from DD that for those fail the math SA1 Exam would have to go back during the school holiday for about 1 week Math remedial class.
Punish the kids who fail or the teachers who didn't teach them well. :siam:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/757000https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/757000Sat, 05 May 2012 15:49:50 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to No policy to ban Holiday homework on Sat, 05 May 2012 02:55:58 GMT]]>I’m not sure whether Secondary One will have homework during the school holiday.


However, I have heard from DD that for those fail the math SA1 Exam would have to go back during the school holiday for about 1 week Math remedial class.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/756703https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/756703Sat, 05 May 2012 02:55:58 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to No policy to ban Holiday homework on Sat, 05 May 2012 02:39:41 GMT]]>Returning the files 1 day before CA/SA is totally dumb !!!

What can be done in that short period of time after school ? Better burn those worksheets, mix with water and swallow.

Those teachers at upper levels sure can hit KPIs. They teach THE minimum. Kids have tutors. Personally it’s more like TUTORS TEACH, TEACHERS COACH.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/756695https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/756695Sat, 05 May 2012 02:39:41 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to No policy to ban Holiday homework on Fri, 04 May 2012 13:32:58 GMT]]>

Oppsgal:
august24:

[quote=\"Oppsgal\"]Why worksheets not return? Keep for what?


Teachers afraid that the kids will lose them? My kids will usually receive their subject files only on the weekend before any CA/SA. Ended just flip through the pages before exam day!

:shock: Last minute to study? If got all so many subjects and all the teachers only give back the worksheets when near CA/SA? :yikes: No need to sleep to go through or eat the worksheets the fastest way to absorb :?[/quote]Maybe \"last minute hug the Buddha's leg\" got better chance than \"eat the worksheet\" ! 😆

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/756551https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/756551Fri, 04 May 2012 13:32:58 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to No policy to ban Holiday homework on Fri, 04 May 2012 08:07:50 GMT]]>

limlim:
hquek:

What is the point of issuing homework if teacher don't deem important enough to mark leh? It is like our boss asking us to do something and then not even giving it a look.


totally agree!

I hate those teachers who give lots of homework and never bother to go thru them.

And some didn't even bother to explain to the students and ensure they understand what they're supposed to do!

It's like expecting the parents to teach.

I especially hate those teachers who give class test and ask the student's to mark each other's papers!

The standard of teachers is really getting worse..

😂 Ask for a part of the salary to do the work for the teacher?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/756403https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/756403Fri, 04 May 2012 08:07:50 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to No policy to ban Holiday homework on Fri, 04 May 2012 08:06:25 GMT]]>

Gems:


The teachers just want to make sure the kids do them. It gives the impression that the teachers are doing their work by giving tons of homework and overloading the kids for PSLE.

When I request for my elder's P6 work to be returned last year for the younger one, the form teacher's face turn pale. She keeps on saying she will need to sort them out first, no time, etc. So my last year P6 did not get back most of the work for revision and the younger one also has nothing to refer this year. I ask my younger child to ask this teacher and she says when she has time then she sort out. Most likely she has thrown them away even before the elder one graduate. Must as well tell the truth then beat around the bush.
Speak to the top management on why the papers not return?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/756402https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/756402Fri, 04 May 2012 08:06:25 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to No policy to ban Holiday homework on Fri, 04 May 2012 08:04:44 GMT]]>

august24:
Oppsgal:

Why worksheets not return? Keep for what?


Teachers afraid that the kids will lose them? My kids will usually receive their subject files only on the weekend before any CA/SA. Ended just flip through the pages before exam day!

:shock: Last minute to study? If got all so many subjects and all the teachers only give back the worksheets when near CA/SA? :yikes: No need to sleep to go through or eat the worksheets the fastest way to absorb :?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/756400https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/756400Fri, 04 May 2012 08:04:44 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to No policy to ban Holiday homework on Fri, 04 May 2012 03:54:27 GMT]]>I am curious… do Teachers ENJOY this constant drive to achieve KPIs regardless of the WAY things are done?


- Fail students so they go find tuition
- Take short cuts in marking so that tutors will help to mark
- Scold students and keep driving them towards higher and higher performance

I used to teach and I once told a student "I don’t mind that you fail my subject. It is not a key subject. You’re overworking yourself and must rest." If I were a teacher today, would I dare say that or would I be too afraid to allow my kids to take care of themselves in areas that have nothing to do with my subject?

I felt proud when I said that to that little girl.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/756240https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/756240Fri, 04 May 2012 03:54:27 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to No policy to ban Holiday homework on Fri, 04 May 2012 01:20:23 GMT]]>

limlim:
hquek:

What is the point of issuing homework if teacher don't deem important enough to mark leh? It is like our boss asking us to do something and then not even giving it a look.


totally agree!

I hate those teachers who give lots of homework and never bother to go thru them.

And some didn't even bother to explain to the students and ensure they understand what they're supposed to do!

It's like expecting the parents to teach.

I especially hate those teachers who give class test and ask the student's to mark each other's papers!

The standard of teachers is really getting worse..

That reminds of one incident last year when my DD was in P5, there was a relief Maths teacher (for 2 months) where she gave the whole class test or worksheets and asked them to exchange and mark. She read out the answers and would only go through the wrong answers if there were more than 20 students (class has a total of 41 students) got it wrong. So those questions with less than 20 students got wrong, they were told to copy the answer from those who got it correct and try understand it themselves ! :mad: A few mommies and I wrote in to complain :rant: and lucky after 2 months, she was transferred out and a new Maths teacher replaces her.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/756137https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/756137Fri, 04 May 2012 01:20:23 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to No policy to ban Holiday homework on Fri, 04 May 2012 00:48:43 GMT]]>

hquek:
What is the point of issuing homework if teacher don't deem important enough to mark leh? It is like our boss asking us to do something and then not even giving it a look.

totally agree!

I hate those teachers who give lots of homework and never bother to go thru them.

And some didn't even bother to explain to the students and ensure they understand what they're supposed to do!

It's like expecting the parents to teach.

I especially hate those teachers who give class test and ask the student's to mark each other's papers!

The standard of teachers is really getting worse..

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/756121https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/756121Fri, 04 May 2012 00:48:43 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to No policy to ban Holiday homework on Thu, 03 May 2012 15:44:16 GMT]]>

Augmum:


After yr kids go to sec schs ( esp IP sec schs),
u will realise the pile of homework they are getting daily/wkly are so much more overwhelmed as compared to pri schs.
Sleep hrs for the kids are getting lesser each passing yrs....sigh!!
:scared: Shall worry about that next year :nailbite:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/756039https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/756039Thu, 03 May 2012 15:44:16 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to No policy to ban Holiday homework on Thu, 03 May 2012 15:14:31 GMT]]>Banning of holiday school homework ?? i think, we can dream on ..... 🤷

As for the recent 1 wk March school holiday,
my gal said that the homework given for the 1 wk was even more than the normal 1 wk schooldays homework.

After yr kids go to sec schs ( esp IP sec schs),
u will realise the pile of homework they are getting daily/wkly are so much more overwhelmed as compared to pri schs.
Sleep hrs for the kids are getting lesser each passing yrs....sigh!!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/756021https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/756021Thu, 03 May 2012 15:14:31 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to No policy to ban Holiday homework on Thu, 03 May 2012 14:48:39 GMT]]>

fightingmom:
august24:

[quote=\"Oppsgal\"]Why worksheets not return? Keep for what?


Teachers afraid that the kids will lose them? My kids will usually receive their subject files only on the weekend before any CA/SA. Ended just flip through the pages before exam day!

At least yours was returned and marked. Some of my DD worksheets since term 1 still \"no sound no news\" ! :faint: Can't even flip through the pages ! :scared:[/quote]The teachers just want to make sure the kids do them. It gives the impression that the teachers are doing their work by giving tons of homework and overloading the kids for PSLE.

When I request for my elder's P6 work to be returned last year for the younger one, the form teacher's face turn pale. She keeps on saying she will need to sort them out first, no time, etc. So my last year P6 did not get back most of the work for revision and the younger one also has nothing to refer this year. I ask my younger child to ask this teacher and she says when she has time then she sort out. Most likely she has thrown them away even before the elder one graduate. Must as well tell the truth then beat around the bush.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/756008https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/756008Thu, 03 May 2012 14:48:39 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to No policy to ban Holiday homework on Thu, 03 May 2012 02:38:53 GMT]]>

august24:
Oppsgal:

Why worksheets not return? Keep for what?


Teachers afraid that the kids will lose them? My kids will usually receive their subject files only on the weekend before any CA/SA. Ended just flip through the pages before exam day!

At least yours was returned and marked. Some of my DD worksheets since term 1 still \"no sound no news\" ! :faint: Can't even flip through the pages ! :scared:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/755568https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/755568Thu, 03 May 2012 02:38:53 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to No policy to ban Holiday homework on Thu, 03 May 2012 02:32:49 GMT]]>

Oppsgal:
Why worksheets not return? Keep for what?

Teachers afraid that the kids will lose them? My kids will usually receive their subject files only on the weekend before any CA/SA. Ended just flip through the pages before exam day!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/755561https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/755561Thu, 03 May 2012 02:32:49 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to No policy to ban Holiday homework on Wed, 02 May 2012 16:43:22 GMT]]>I would prefer schools not give homework during holidays. I prefer to set my work for my kids…since it is holiday, I want to be in charge of my kids’ timing. For eg, revising and reinforcing areas/topics they are weak in.

Maybe mornings we get 2 hours of work done, then bring them out to enjoy and then return home to rest. Maybe read 1 hour and then watch tv.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/755395https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/755395Wed, 02 May 2012 16:43:22 GMT