Parent Survey Results
May 2004
Below are the results of a survey conducted by two schools, in collaboration with TRC. The aim of the survey was to
identify parents' views on homework. The survey used a sample of parents whose children study in two private schools
located in Karachi. A total number of 244 parents participated in the survey. Findings of the survey results have been
presented in the form of quantitative and qualitative data.
Q 1. In which level is your child currently enrolled?
Answers
Percentage
41
176
27
17
72
11
a) Pre-primary
b) Primary
c) Secondary
Q 2. Do you think homework is an important part of your child's learning?
Answers
Percentage
210
24
10
86
10
4
a) Yes
b) No
c) Unsure
Over 86% of the parents who responded thought that homework was an important part of their child's learning. The
majority of parents believed the primary purpose of homework was to gain new information and expand their child's
knowledge, as well as to develop study skills, time management and organization. Parents felt that the least important
purpose of homework was to improve test scores.
Q 3. Does your child receive homework on a regular basis?
a) Yes
b) No
c) Unsure
Answers
Percentage
180
42
22
74
17
9
Q 4. On average, how much time per day does your child spend doing homework?
a) 0-1 hour
b) 1-2 hours
c) 2-3 hours
d) More than 3 hours
Answers
Percentage
126
65
46
7
52
27
19
3
Teachers' Resource Centre | 6
Q 5. For your child's age, do you think he/she gets:
a) Too much homework
b) Not enough homework
c) Just the right amount
Answers
Percentage
55
55
134
22
22
56
More than half the parents felt that their child was getting the right amount of homework for his/her age. 22% said that
their child was receiving too little homework, and a remaining 22% felt that their child received too much homework. One
parent pointed out:
"At the primary level, homework should not overburden the child. It should be
reasonable so that the child does not start to hate it. Too much homework should be
avoided as it de-motivates the child."
Q 6. Do you think there is an appropriate balance between subjects?
a) Yes
b) No
c) Not sure
Answers
Percentage
108
87
49
44
36
20
Q 7. What helps to organize your child's time during the week in order to complete assigned homework?
(Participants can respond to one or more responses)
a) Set routine
b) No TV until homework is complete
c) Tuitions
d) Parental supervision
Answers
Percentage
100
50
24
70
41
20
10
29
Most parents of children from all age levels, felt that having a set routine was the most important factor to ensure that their
child completed his/her homework, followed closely by parental supervision.
Q 8. What role do you as a parent play, when it comes to your child's homework?
a) Check the homework
b) Get involved in helping your child
c) Ask your child
d) Leave it up to your child
Answers
Percentage
92
94
20
31
38
39
8
13
Parents stated that the role they play concerning their child's homework, mostly involves helping their child complete their
homework, and checking the work to make sure that it is done correctly.
Teachers' Resource Centre | 7
Q 9. What do you believe should be the primary purpose of homework?
a) Develop study skills, time management
b) Develop responsibility and discipline
c) Improve test scores
d) Practice skills learned
e) Learn new information/expand knowledge
f) Keep parents informed
Answers
Percentage
83
40
18
20
16
67
34
16
7
8
7
27
Answers
Percentage
118
53
31
42
51
22
12
15
Q 10. What do you think makes good homework?
a) Worksheets
b) Group projects
c) Long-term research
d) Textbook-based exercises
When asked what kind of homework makes good homework, most parents seemed to think that worksheets were the most
appropriate kind of homework. Most parents felt that long-term research assignments were the least suitable form of
homework. A number of parents also mentioned that a combination of worksheets, research assignments, group projects
and textbook exercises was appropriate.
"Homework should be more activity and revision based. Weekend homework, especially, should be a reinforcement of the
work done during the week."
Q 11. Should homework assignments be graded?
a) Yes
b) Not sure
c) No
Answers
Percentage
152
48
44
62
20
18
Most parents who disagreed with grading homework assignments stated that the assignments are often not
done by the students themselves, but rather by a parent, tutor, or sibling, making it unfair to grade homework.
Q 12. Should your child get homework on the weekends or holidays?
a) Agree
b) Not sure
c) Disagree
Answers
Percentage
128
24
52
69
10
21
Teachers' Resource Centre | 8
One parent who was in support of no homework commented:
"Little homework should be given on weekdays. Weekends and holidays should be free for the children to
relax and enjoy themselves. This way, children will not be overburdened."
Whereas, another parent felt that:
"Weekend homework should be mainly based on preparing and learning for tests or collecting and writing
information for research assignments."
Q 13. What impact does homework have on your relationship with your child?
Answers
a) Positive
b) No impact
c) Negative
Percentage
207
24
13
85
10
5
Only a few parents felt homework was an area of conflict between them and their child. One parent aptly stated:
"Although parents realise the importance of homework, sometimes children don't. Homework is a daily
cause of stress and conflict in the household. Children, these days, have a healthy interest in a variety of
activities, including a dose of exercise and outdoor play. While assigning homework, care should be taken
that study time does not encroach on leisure time."
In summary, most parents felt that homework is a necessary part of a good education and
helps children achieve higher standards. They believed that adequate amounts of
homework promoted good study habits and fostered a positive relationship between the
home and the school. A number of parents stated that when assigning homework, the
child's abilities and age should be taken into consideration and that too much homework
reduces the motivation to learn. As one parent stated:
"A little homework is necessary to build a good relationship between the parent, the
child and the teacher; but too much homework does not help the child. Thus, homework
can be just as much a part of the problem as the solution."
Your Opinion Counts
Take a moment to tell us what you think by voicing your opinion about important issues in
education, training, and parenting.
http://www.trconline.org
Teachers' Resource Centre | 9
Student Survey Results
May 2004
Below are the results of a survey conducted by two schools, in collaboration with TRC. The aim of the survey was to
identify students' views on homework.
The survey used a sample of 178 students who study in two private schools located in Karachi. Findings of the survey
results have been shown in the form of quantitative and qualitative data.
Q 1. Do you think homework is important?
a) Yes
b) No
c) Not sure
Answers
Percentage
157
13
8
88
7
5
The following statements were made by students in support of the importance of homework:
"Homework is important because when we do something wrong, our teacher will know and will then explain it to us."
"Homework helps us to revise what we have done in class."
"Homework is important because in school there isn't much time and so we have to also study at home."
Q 2. How much time do you spend every day doing homework?
a) 0-1 hour
b) 1-2 hours
c) 2-3 hours
d) More than 3 hours
Answers
Percentage
77
61
31
8
43
34
17
5
Q 3. What do you think about the amount of homework you have?
a) Too much
b) Too little
c) Just right
Answers
Percentage
31
28
119
17
16
67
One student stated that:
"Homework should be fun, and not a burden on the children. Teachers should not give too much homework because life
these days has its ups and downs and teachers do not excuse you for not doing your homework."
Teachers' Resource Centre | 11
Q 4. How often do you do your homework?
a) Always
b) Sometimes
c) Seldom
d) Never
Answers
Percentage
147
26
5
0
83
15
3
0.0
Answers
Percentage
89
35
31
23
50
20
17
13
Q 5. What kind of homework do you enjoy?
a) Worksheets
b) Research assignments
c) Group projects
d) Exercise from textbook
Out of the kind of homework most enjoyed by students, worksheets were the most popular, then research
assignments, group projects, and finally, exercises from textbooks.
Q 6. If you need help completing your homework, who do you go to for help?
a) Parents
b) Tuition teacher
c) Sister/brother
d) Teacher
Answers
Percentage
113
11
37
15
64
6
21
9
When completing homework, most students preferred to seek help from their parents or siblings. A smaller group
sought help from their tutor and class teachers. Even fewer students asked for help from their friends.
In summary, most students appeared to be mainly concerned with the
amount and kind of homework they received. Almost all students felt that
homework was an important and necessary part of their learning. As one
child succinctly stated:
"Homework helps us to learn more and as you know, knowledge is the key to success."
Teachers' Resource Centre | 12