There’s this unspoken tradition in most Indian households—school ends, the child walks in, and the first question from a parent is, “Kya homework mila?” Followed by sighs, arguments, and a reluctant shuffle toward the study table. Sound familiar?
We’ve accepted the idea of homework as a necessary evil. But does it have to feel like a chore—for students and parents?
Let’s rethink what homework could be. Not extra work. Not punishment. Just… an extension of learning that actually sparks interest.
Too often, homework is designed like a copy-paste drill. Write the same sentence five times. Fill in blanks from memory. Colour this picture. Repeat.
And yet, NCERT’s guidelines and the NEP 2020 vision both clearly suggest homework should encourage creativity, critical thinking, and personal engagement. So where’s the disconnect?
Maybe we need to stop thinking in terms of “more homework” and start thinking “better homework.”
Instead of asking students to memorise a poem, what if we asked them to write their own based on what they feel when it rains? Or instead of solving 20 math problems, give them five real-life scenarios where math shows up—budgeting their pocket money, calculating cricket scores, or figuring out bus routes.
Suddenly, homework becomes something they can relate to. And more importantly—something they might not dread.
Teachers don’t have to overhaul the whole system overnight. A small tweak goes a long way. Here’s an example: one Delhi government school replaced textbook summaries with voice notes. Students recorded a one-minute summary of the lesson in their own words. It improved comprehension and gave them ownership.
Or look at AASOKA’s platform where students can do homework online with embedded videos and hints to guide them—so it feels less like a test and more like a learning journey.
Homework shouldn’t be a fight every evening. If your child is struggling to sit with it, maybe the issue isn’t laziness—it’s lack of engagement. Try asking: “What part of this do you find interesting?” or “Is there another way we can approach this?” Be curious with them, not just about them.
And if your child completes something with effort—acknowledge it. A simple, “That’s a smart way to explain it” goes a long way in building confidence.
Homework doesn’t need a total rejection—it needs a rethink. If we shift from repetition to reflection, from quantity to curiosity, and from fear to fun, we might just change the way children experience learning outside the classroom.
After all, isn’t the real homework for all of us—parents, teachers, educators—to raise thinkers, not just test-takers?
