Excessive winter assignments leave children stressful

Srinagar, Dec 25: As winter sets in, schools in Kashmir shut down for vacations lasting almost three months, from mid- December to the first week of March. But for many families, the break offers little relief as excessive winter assignments turn vacations into a stressful period for parents and students alike.

Almost every school assigns students various projects, lessons and topics to complete during this period. Educators believe this practice ensures that students do not waste their time.

However, parents tell a different tale. They believe that the most challenging portions of the syllabus are given to students because teachers want to avoid the burden of covering the difficult parts of the syllabus in the class later.

“My daughter has to complete half of the syllabus in these three months,” lamented Yasir Mir, a parent. Teachers, both from government and private schools, argue that pressure often comes from the parents themselves as they want their kids to remain busy all the time. As a result, schools feel compelled to assign winter work, regardless of a student’s age.

The practice of assigning winter work long existed in the valley. However, with the advent of CBSE and Cambridge curricula, parents find a need to hire expert tutors even for the lower classes.

“Winter assignments are important, but for small children schools should refrain from assigning complex projects. Most often parents end up completing the projects on their kid’s behalf. With both parents working, an axe finally falls on us,” Mujeeb,a grandparent rued.

In freezing temperatures, kids carry heavy bags to tuition centres.

“Parents want their children to study all the time. In Kashmir, there is little concept of enjoyment or leisure, especially for school-going kids,” said Mehvish Altaf, teacher from a local tuition centre.

Parents, kids, and teachers all eagerly await the vacations. Students, especially from 1st to 8th grade, spend their vacation days either at tuition centers or in front of computer screens relying heavily on supervision and guidance to complete their assignments.

Whilst teachers from private schools mostly remain readily available to clarify the doubts via calls, whatsapp and emails, the families still get overwhelmed with the innovative assignment ideas.

“I am always there for my students, they talk to me whenever needed,” asserted Saba Rehman,a private school teacher. While winter assignments are intended to maintain academic discipline, experts insist that schools must ensure the workload is age-appropriate and manageable. “Balanced approach to home work and proper guidance would minimise the stress enabling parents and students to fully enjoy the winter-break," they said.