BBC Compacta Class 8 Solutions - Classroom Assignment- 39

The Public Speaking Forum of your school is organising a debate on the motion: "Homework Should be Abolished". Prepare a speech in about 120 words supporting the motion.

Organise your speech like this:

1. introduce yourself and announce your position or stand
2. make use of the arguments 1 to 5 to justify your position/stand
3. summarise your arguments and reiterate your position/stand in the end
4.  sign off with a "Thank you!"

• Argument 1 too much homework given on all subjects
• Argument2 homework done at tuition or classroom or by people other than the students
• Argument3 homework merely copying information
• Argument4 no mental development
• Argument5 no time to play

Ans: Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed colleagues, good [morning/afternoon/evening]. I stand before you today to assert confidently that homework, as a traditional educational practice, should indeed be abolished.

Firstly, the volume of homework assigned across various subjects is overwhelming, encroaching upon the time that could be used for family, rest, and extracurricular interests.

Secondly, homework often becomes a task completed in tuition centers or with assistance from individuals other than the student, which undermines its purpose as a learning tool and assessment of a student's individual abilities.

Thirdly, much of homework involves rote learning, merely copying information without a genuine understanding or intellectual engagement, which is antithetical to the educational process.

Fourth, this approach to homework does not contribute to mental development in a creative or critical capacity, instead, it fosters a pattern of academic drudgery devoid of thought-provoking challenges.

Lastly, children need time to play, explore, and engage in social activities, which is vital for healthy emotional and social development; homework significantly cuts into this critical time.

In conclusion, while the intent of homework might be to reinforce learning, its current execution often results in diminishing returns. We must prioritize the holistic development of students over an outdated metric of academic diligence. Thank you for your attention.