Bloke (Expat in China)

It is not a matter of homework or no homework, it is a matter of what kind of homework and how much. Excessive homework has been shown to have a counterproductive effect on students academic performances while even those who perform well academically but study too much show negative results in terms of stress and health problems. (Stanford Uni, Denise Pope)

Yet, the right kind of homework at the right levels will of course result in increased academic standards. Homework that involves cognitive thought and problem solving, independent learning and research as well as group projects can all be very effective. The main thing is the student needs to be engaged and interested for learning to take effect.

Two pupils do their homework while waiting for their bus in Chaohu, Anhui province, on April 18, 2011. Students have so much homework these days that many children try to squeeze it in whenever they can. [Photo/CFP]