Ministry issues ban on vacation homework(2)

Some teachers and parents were also concerned there may be negative effects on pupils if summer assignments are cancelled completely.

Tian Wenhua, an English teacher at Xiangnan Primary School in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, said an appropriate amount of homework provides students with fulfillment during the long summer.

"Without any homework, students may watch TV or play video games all day, and the vacation may be wasted on these activities.

"In fact, many assignments for summer vacation are not simple repetitions of knowledge in textbooks. On the contrary, some are good for students to enrich their knowledge and improve their ability to solve practical problems," Tian said.

Wang Haifeng, the mother of a first-grade student, agreed that summer assignments, especially innovative and inspirational ones, should not be eliminated completely.

"For kids of my son's age, I think it's critical for them to acquire good learning habits and a range of abilities, such as reading ability, thinking ability and so on. I suggest that assignments which are helpful for reinforcing these abilities be given," she said.

Wang has registered her son for an English summer class, as well as interest classes in baseball and chess.

"Baseball and chess are his passion," she said. "He is not fond of English, but I send him to the class."

Wang said she did so not because she is a demanding mom who expects excellent performance from her child in every aspect, but because all students her son's age take such classes.

"He will lag behind if he doesn't go to the class," Wang said. "I'm afraid that parents and students will not change if the system of selection through examinations remains."

How to enable students to efficiently manage their time without homework is another important concern.

Xin Tao, a professor of education with Beijing Normal University, said the cancellation of written homework does not mean children need do nothing during the summer vacation.

"In fact, it requires teachers, parents and society cooperating with each other in helping children arrange their time, so children can have a meaningful and fulfilling summer vacation."