XN000022-1996-10-19+20+21 — Page 6

5

Schools reminded on homework and test policy

The Education Department considers it very important that learning in school should be a pleasant and rewarding experience and that no student should receive undue pressure from excessive homework and tests.

A principal curriculum planning officer, Mr Tang Chee-poon, said the department has been issuing a series of circulars on the teaching of school subjects and on homework and tests in school to obtain teachers' support and co-operation.

Guidelines and a circular re-issued by the department reiterated that homework should be properly designed and regulated and that assignments should be reasonably balanced in terms of quantity.

"School heads are also reminded of their responsibility in supervising and regulating the type, frequency and amount of homework set for each class," Mr Tang said.

"In view of the wide variation in pupils' learning needs, abilities and home environment, there are no hard-and-fast rules about the frequency, amount and type of homework which should be set at each class level."

This is a matter on which teachers are expected to exercise professional judgement and common sense, he said.

"However, it is important that each school should have a written homework policy drawn up in consultation with teaching staff and review it regularly."

Education Department area staff will advise and assist schools in drawing up the homework and test policy.

During visits to schools, they will note the measures taken. The written homework and test policy should be made available to them upon request.

The department's subject inspectors will also offer professional assistance with the quality and frequency of homework during school visits,

"Schools are advised that frequency of assignments will be best controlled by a homework time-table ensuring an even spread of homework over the week or teaching cycle and a balanced coverage of subjects," Mr Tang said.

The guidelines strongly recommend that, particularly at the primary and junior secondary levels, teachers should maintain proper co-ordination and should be given clear instructions on the frequency, amount to be set and the subjects to be covered, and that due recognition should be given at all times to the ages and abilities of pupils.