Ditching Homework: A Hot Topic in Lower Saxony Schools? Why Green's Julia Willie Hamburg Disagrees
- Let's Get Straight to It
- Oppositionto the proposal in Lower Saxony
Lower Saxony's Education Minister, Julia Willie Hamburg (Greens), hesitates to rein in the tidal wave of homework, unfortunately. Although cancelling the afternoon grind for kids in full-day schools sounds enticing, the Minister's stance remains that there are tasks—like exam prep, vocabulary drills, and orchestral rehearsals—which thrive better at home.
Many schools in Lower Saxony, especially in the full-day scene, already minimize homework requirements. But, assignments like reading assignments or presentations still demand students' focus. "Even old-school homework can bolster lessons and fortify students' learning process," as the Minister puts it.
Homework should be woven into lesson plans and be manageable for students to knock out on their own. In Lower Saxony, grading homework is a big no-no.
The Left Steps In
The Left party's been hollering for homework's exile for a while now. "Homework is also a class issue," blurted out Left party leader Jan van Aken in a recent interview with "Stern" magazine. Academically-inclined households have a upper hand over others. Learning should happen at school, not at home.
Early this year, a group of 700 citizens, orchestrated by the Montag Foundation Denkwerkstatt, consensused on the abolition of homework during a summit. The Denkwerkstatt portrays itself as an independent and non-profit organization.
SPD: Homework: Not Essential with a Strong Full-Day Education
The Lower Saxony Parliament's debate on homework has stirred up a mix of opinions. SPD member Stefan Politze isn't a huge fan of classic homework, especially when it comes to issues of social fairness. Learning should align more seamlessly with school life, Politze opines. This necessitates investing in full-day schools and stockpiling them with skilled educators. At schools where good full-day programs work wonders, classic homework becomes superfluous. "Students excel there under supervision—and enjoy guilt-free afternoons for recreation, sports, art, or just kicking back." However, in schools lacking full-day programs or staff, homework's absence is hard to fill.
CDU: Homework: A Boon for Self-Reliance
The CDU faction, on the other hand, is staunchly pro-homework (provided it's relevant and educational). "Homework cultivates self-discipline, self-management, and deeper understanding of subject matter," MP Christian Fühner quips. "Social disparities can't be erased by lowering benchmarks, but by targeted assistance—such as homework help, full-day programs, and school counseling."
Even the AfD education candidate Harm Rykena champions the preservation of homework. In addition to reinforcing what's taught in school, it equips students for lifelong learning. "Freedom beyond school isn't merely leisure time," Rykena claims.
Support initiatives specifically designed for disadvantaged students. However, it's equally vital that children develop independent problem-solving skills. "Scrapping homework lowers educational standards even further—and widens the social divide instead of trimming it," declares Rykena.
- Lower Saxony
- Homework
- Ministry of Education and Cultural Affairs
- Children
- The Left
- Hanover
- SPD
- CDU
- AfD
- In the ongoing debate about homework in Lower Saxony schools, SPD member Stefan Politze, while acknowledging the challenges of social fairness, maintains that good full-day programs in schools can make traditional homework redundant.
- The CDU, on the contrary, singles out homework as an essential tool for cultivating self-discipline and enhancing understanding of subjects, despite the existence of social disparities.
- The Left party, expressing concern over the class divide, criticizes the heavy reliance on homework, advocating for learning to primarily occur during school hours.
