HOMEWORK AT THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 77, 31 March 1928, Page 8

HOMEWORK AT THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL.

May I through your columns voice a protest against the excessive homework imposed upon boys in the lower forms of the Auckland Grammar School ? Quite recently I have come into contact with several parents who are most indignant at the vast amount of homework gnen to their boys who have just entered this school. I have a boy of thirteen who often 1 ecei\ es as mueh and sometimes more than foot hours homework. This, for a third-form boy, is to mv mind excessive, particularlv after hve hours' gruelling at school. The "boy in question is quick and intelligent, having a junior scholarship by a few marks only, so that a plea of "dullness" will not enter. Last night this lad arrived home with six subjects with which to deal—French, history, Latin, English, geometry and science—the jvork of the last occupying two hours alone. The boy commenced work at 6.30 p.m. and finished at ten. He was up again at 5.30 this morning and worked until 7.30. Now then, the Moik of each of these subjects was set by six different masters. I know of the claims of specialisation, yet where these young lads are concerned much more good could, he gained by pie same master taking most subjects. Certainly it would obviate the cause of mv complaint. d'aD-

[A representative of the "Star" saw the headmaster of the Grammar School and was shown the homework time-tables for the vaiious grades in the school. These are posted 'u f° rni rooms, and in no case is more one and a half hours' homework set for third-form boys. The headmaster says the only explanation he can give is that the boy or boys in question must be very much below ie a\eiage or have yet to acquire the habit of concentration. Jn the highest forms eveu* the boys are not expected to do more than e° u n< * a a ' f hours' homework. The system o the school is designed to ensure that aU masters know exactly what work is to be set tor the school as a whole. The headmaster btai.es further that if a boy had six subjects o prepare as bomewoik it is contrary to ins ructions. Realising the danger of too much homework, he had got these time-tables out so as to avoid any difficulty.—Ed.J