Poland’s kids rejoice over new rules against homework. Teachers and parents aren’t so sure

Ola Kozak is celebrating. The 11-year-old, who loves music and drawing, expects to have more free time for her hobbies after Poland's government ordered strict limits on the amount of homework in the lower grades. "Most people in my class in the morning would copy the work off someone who had done the homework or would copy it from the internet. So it didn't make sense," she said. The government of Prime Minister Donald Tusk enacted the ban against required homework last month amid a broad discussion about the need to modernize Poland's education system, which critics say puts too much emphasis on rote learning and homework, and not enough on critical thinking and creativity. Under the decree, teachers are no longer to give required homework to kids in the first to third grades. In grades four to eight, homework is now optional and doesn't count toward a grade. Not everyone likes the change–and even Ola's parents are divided. "If there is something that will make students enjoy school more, then it will probably be good both for the students and for the school," said her father, Pawel Kozak. His wife, Magda Kozak, was skeptical. "I am not pleased, because (homework) is a way to consolidate what was learned," she said. "It helps stay on top of what the child has really learned and what's going on at school." Debates over the proper amount of homework are common around the globe. While some studies have shown little benefit to homework for young learners, other experts say it can help them learn how to develop study habits and academic concepts. Education Minister Barbara Nowacka said she was prompted by research on children's mental health. Of the various stresses children face, she said, "the one that could be removed fastest was the burden of homework." Pasi Sahlberg, a prominent Finnish educator and author, said the value of homework depends on what it is and how it is linked to overall learning. The need for homework can be "very individual and contextual." "We need to trust our teachers to decide what is good for each child," Sahlberg said. This article was provided by The Associated Press.