Homework load for students during this Dasara

Hyderabad: One would expect students to be looking forward to Dasara holidays from September 20, but they will be loaded with homework during the break. Teachers say that with exams fast approaching and the term being shorter, students need to constantly revise their work. Many schools will conduct their half-yearly exams in October, which makes it crucial for students to study during the fortnight-long break. 

Ms Shukla Sen, an English teacher, says, “A lot of books are included in the reading list prescribed by the CBSE board. Students are often caught unaware when questions from these books are included in the exam, as they study their textbooks alone. We ask students to use the holidays productively and read the prescribed books.” 

Teachers also say that students are also encouraged to read works by popular authors according to their grade levels.

“We often ask middle-school students to read stories by O. Henry and other writers. It is important for students to read even in this era of technology. We make sure that they submit book reports apart from the grammar worksheets that are usually assigned,” said Ms Sen.

Most schools have made it a point to prescribe experience-based holiday homework. To improve students’ knowledge about the state and state festivals such as Bathukamma, schools have asked students to participate in celebrations and describe their experiences.

P. Ushasri, principal of Johnson Grammar School, said, “To ensure that students do not remain cooped-up at home during the break, we have asked them to visit historic sites and participate in the celebration of festivals. They have been asked to share their experiences in writing, along with photographs.”