HOMEWORK BUGBEAR

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 75, 21 December 1928, Page 13

HOMEWORK BUGBEAR

ABOLISHED AT MOUNT EDEN SCHOOL SUCCESSFUL INNOVATION Dominion Special Service. Auckland, December 19. The abolition of home work for the pupils of Mount Eden primary school has almost the unanimous approval of parents. Of 141 replies from parents to a questionnaire sent out by the School Committee 125 favoured the abolition of home work, and of these 71 gave their reasons. In reporting on the questionnaire last night Mr. 8. E. Chappell, chairman of the committee, said the parents were asked whether the abolition of home work had had any effect on the health of the children. Did they eat better or sleep better? What effect was noted on the social side of home life, and were they in favour of continuing the ban? Naturally the replies received were various, but 125 favoured the change, although 54 of these did not give reasons for their affirmative attitude. The remaining 71 gave different reasons for favouring continuance of the abolition, and all spoke in high praise of the change. Some noted the improved position of their children in class work, others remarked that the social side of home life had been greatly strengthened, while still others emphasised the better health enjoyed by their children. Of 12 negative replies only one was really strongly opposed to the dropping of home work. There were also four doubtful replies, and a number of parents supplied no answer. The questionnaire was sent to parents of children in standardsl to IV, Inclusive. Mount Eden School has no higher standards.

Apart from the parents’ emphatic vote of confidence in the system, the inspectors have spoken in high praise of the school’s work. The headmaster, Mr. A. Douglas, who was responsible for the innovation 18 months ago. states that in his 40 years’ teaching experience examination results have never been better than at Mount Eden School, in spite of the elimination of home work.