Chennai: The state government has informed Madras high court that it has issued circulars directing all schools in the state to ensure that no home work is given to students, studying in classes up to second standard.
Government Pleader (education) Munuswamy produced a copy of the circular before Justice N. Kirubakaran when a petition relating to syllabus of NCERT and CBSE schools, filed by advocate M. Puroshothaman came up for hearing on Tuesday.
While passing interim orders, the judge had on May 29 among other things directed the authorities not to assign home work to students, studying in classes 1 and 2. In compliance of the order, the state government had on September 24 issued circulars to all the schools to ensure that no home work was given in classes up to 2nd standard.
In his present order, the judge directed the authorities to see that as per the order of the court, students were prescribed and taught only a few subjects in Classes 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. The school education authorities were directed to make surprise check in all schools including CBSE and state board to see that the order of the court banning homework as well as restricting subjects were properly implemented. State government should get compliance report from each district.
The September 24 circular also instructed that as far CBSE schools were concerned, NCERT being the academic authority for Classes 1-VIII, all schools should ensure that CBSE circulars dated April 17, 2017, on reducing the bag load and home work on children was scrupulously followed. Similarly, the schools which were recognized by the Department of School Education, Government of Tamil Nadu excluding CBSE schools were instructed to strictly follow the text books approved or prescribed by the Common Board of School Education, Government of Tamil Nadu, only.
CBSE schools already implementing HC order
A majority of CBSE schools in the city said they are already implementing Madras High Court's order and stopped giving home works to students up to class 2. Based on the High Court order, the school education department has issued a circular to all the CBSE schools urging them to ensure that no homework is given to students studying up to class 2 and instructing them to follow CBSE's circular on reducing bag load.
When enquired about the circular, S.Namasivayam, Senior Principal, Maharishi Vidyamandir Senior Secondary School said, “Our group of schools already implementing the order and not giving homework to students. While it has reduced the bag weight, we are also keeping some of the books in the schools for the students studying up to 8th standard to further reduce the load.”
P.G. Subramanian, principal of Bhavan's Rajaji Vidhyashram said the learning activities of students studying in class 1 and 2 have to be completed in the school itself.
“They are too young to give the burden of homework. All the learning could take place in the school itself for them. The High Court order is a welcoming one. It has to be implemented by all schools,” he said.
On reducing the bag loads, he said, “We can rationalise the notebooks and instruct the children to bring their notebooks as per the timetable. Steps are being taken by the schools to bring down the load of the bag.” K. Mohana, principal, Modern Senior Secondary School said, “Our school is giving all the training to young students in the school. The students should not consider coming to school as a burden. The child should enjoy while learning.”
