Be it primary or college students, everyone is tired of writing exams in India . From Class I to PhD, sitting for an exam is compulsory for everyone in India. Be it for jobs, school promotions or passing college, the exam is mandatory in India.
But, there’s one country in the world where there is no homework, no GPAs and no exams! Can you believe that?
Well, this might sound impossible, but it is true. The country is none other than Finland, the happiest country in the world. In Finland, there are no mandated standardized tests. There are no rankings, no comparisons, no competitions, apart from one exam at the end of students’ senior year in high school.
Their only exception is the National Matriculation Exam, which is also a voluntary test for students at the end of upper-secondary school.
Despite no exams and GPAs, Finland is known for the best school education in the world, far better than the US, UK and other European countries. Instead of pitting students against each other in a competitive race for grades, Finland believes in encouraging students to be creative.
What’s more interesting is children in Finland start formal schooling only after they turn 7. They do not sit for any assessment test until they are 16.
During primary schooling, their teachers focus on the student’s health, and mental well-being instead of forced learning, memorizing and hard homework.However, in India, we are particularly focused entirely on grades and percentages. Here, the board exams after Class 10 and Class 12 are very important milestones.
A few months back, a 6-year-old girl Mahiru Irfan from Kashmir had appealed to PM Modi to reduce online homework so that kids get time to play as well.
Similarly, a student had alleged how he had to carry a bag full of books to school every day. So, what are your thoughts on that? Should Indian educationalso be moulded to encourage a student’s creative impetus?
FAQs
How many parents are bracing themselves for nightly battles to get their kids to finish their homework every year with the beginning of a school year? Thousands and thousands of them. Though not in Finland. The truth is that there is nearly no homework in the country with one of the top education systems in the world.
Which country gives students the most homework? ›
Students in Shanghai, a region in China that now leads the world in PISA test scores, do a whopping 14 hours of homework a week, on average. Wealthier students there do 16 hours.
What country is trying to ban homework? ›
The Polish government has introduced strict limits on the amount of homework pupils must do in a bid to modernise the education system. But some parents and teachers aren't convinced by the changes. Teachers will no longer give required homework to children in the first to third grades.
Why is it better for students to not have homework? ›
Students with too much homework have elevated stress levels.
Higher-achieving students — those who may have more homework — are at particular risk for stress-related health issues including sleep deprivation, weight loss, stomach problems and headaches.
Why can't homework be banned? ›
The argument for why homework should be banned isn't about shirking responsibilities but rather about striking a balance. When the load becomes overwhelming, it can lead to stress, burnout, and a loss of the joy of learning.
Has homework ever been banned? ›
The purpose and effectiveness of homework have been disputed for well over a century. In 1901, for instance, California banned homework for students up to age 15, and limited it for older students, over concerns that it endangered children's mental and physical health.
Do kids in Japan get homework? ›
Elementary school pupils get homework nearly every day. Often they have to do math drills and learn kanji (Sino-Japanese characters), which are an important part of the Japanese language.
What country has the hardest school work? ›
South Korea, Finland, America and Russia have some of the world's toughest education systems, according to a new guide. Singapore, China, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Africa complete the top 10 list of countries with difficult education systems published by mastersdegree.net, a Kosovo-based education platform.
Do students in China have homework? ›
China has passed an education law aimed at reducing the pressures of excessive homework and intensive after-school tutoring, state media say. Parents are being asked to ensure their children have reasonable time for rest and exercise, and do not spend too much time online.
What country has 5 hours of school? ›
Finland and Brazil, known for their progressive educational systems, average a 5-hour school day, focusing on efficiency and student well-being. Germany presents the shortest average school day, with students spending only 4 hours and 30 minutes in school.
As Afghanistan's school year starts, more than 1 million girls still barred from education by Taliban. A girl reads a book in her classroom in Kabul in 2023. Afghan girls are banned from attending school after sixth grade.
Which school has no homework? ›
The school you are looking for is Beacon Day School, a K-8 private school by the Oakland Embarcadero. It assigns no homework until 5th grade so that children are free to be with their families and/or pursue their hobbies after the regular school day is over.
Who invented homework 😡? ›
Roberto Nevelis of Venice, Italy, is often credited with having invented homework in 1095—or 1905, depending on your sources.
Is homework helpful or harmful? ›
Homework Serves a Purpose in Teaching Dedication, Time Management, Problem-Solving, Etc. Homework is beneficial for students to complete, but it's also essential for teachers to keep in mind that a student's time should be free of work.
Can too much homework be harmful? ›
Studying is an important part of education and personal growth, but too much of it can have negative effects on your mental health. Excessive studying can lead to physical and mental exhaustion, which can then result in burnout, a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged stress.
Is there homework in Japan? ›
Elementary school pupils get homework nearly every day. Often they have to do math drills and learn kanji (Sino-Japanese characters), which are an important part of the Japanese language.
What country does not go to school? ›
All countries except Bhutan, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Vatican City have compulsory education laws.
Does China have homework? ›
China has passed an education law that seeks to cut the “twin pressures” of homework and off-site tutoring in core subjects, the country's official Xinhua news agency said on Saturday.
