Topic: In many countries, children spend long hours on homework. Some people think less homework can reduce stress and give them a chance to develop other skills. Do you agree or disagree?

It has been noticed in several counties worldwide that students are pressurized with homework that consumes most of their time. Many opine that the volume of homework must reduce to relieve the pressure on the child and allow him/her to gain non-academic expertise. I agree with this notion because children often do their homework mechanically and lesser homework could give them time to pursue other competencies like public speaking, creative writing or music/art.

To initiate, there are many schools around the world that hand out worksheets at the end of each class, insisting that the child must complete them before attending school the next day. If we assume that on an average, a child has 6 classes a day, that means the child has 6 worksheets with say 10 questions each to complete upon returning home from school. Often, children have to attend tuition classes too for another 2 hours after school, and they get more homework from there. So, by the time they complete both home works, it´s time for dinner and bed, leaving the child with no time to explore other skills or relax.

Further, many times, the questions in the worksheet are very monotonous, like when the child has to write an entire page of tables in his/her notebook. Very few children will do this sincerely. Many may just copy the answers from their textbook in an urgency to go for a dance lesson, an activity they actually enjoy. Often parents compete the child´s redundant homework for them.

In conclusion, just forcing children to fill worksheets doesn´t add any value to their education. On the contrary, reducing the volume of homework allows the child to find time for extra-curricular activities like football, art, or chess which will reduce their stress in this highly competitive world, and hone their creative skills. (304 words).