Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1544603
17 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 26 APRIL 2026 NEWS Government's new homework policy: Pre-election appeasement or a necessity GOVERNMENT published a new home- work policy last week and its timing on what is ostensibly the eve of an election, has raised some eyebrows. Does the new policy stem from a need to actually reduce homework given to students, or is it a pre-election gimmick to appease parents? Educators speaking to MaltaToday of- fered a cautious assessment. While the policy acknowledges real pressures on students, many argued it risks treating symptoms rather than addressing deeper structural issues within Malta's educa- tion system. Addressing a press conference on the new policy, Education Minister Clifton Grima said it is based on four innovative types of homework "fostering independ- ence, responsibility, and curiosity in stu- dents". The policy emphasises the importance of students' families' involvement in fos- tering a balanced learning environment. "Time for rest, family life, creativity, sport and community involvement is essential for healthy development and well-be- ing," Grima said. "Therefore, a balanced homework culture must support learning while respecting these important dimen- sions of childhood and adolescence." Speaking on condition of anonymity to be able to share frank thoughts, a second- ary school head described the policy as "partially reactionary" to parental com- plaints about extra workloads. However, the head did recognise the concern itself is valid. "There is a reality of sometimes exces- sive homework," they said, noting the need for homework varies significant- ly by subject. "In maths, for example, homework is essential to consolidate what is done in class." However, the head pointed to broader systemic factors driving the volume of work. A recent revision of the SEC syl- labus, they said, failed to reduce content, leaving teachers with a lot of material to cover. "Teachers have too much to teach, and homework becomes a way to ensure everything is covered," they added. Mixed-ability classrooms further com- plicate matters. "One student may finish in 10 minutes, another in an hour. I don't see how a one- size-fits-all policy can work," the head said. The head also highlighted inequality is- sues, noting not all parents are equipped to support their children academically when carrying out their homework. This, he said, fuels a cycle where families turn to private lessons, often at the expense of extracurricular activities and family time. "Some children need homework to learn, that is the bottom line," they add- ed. "Large amounts of homework are a symptom of the problem, and the edu- cation system is not progressing in this respect." Well-intentioned, but minimal impact A primary school head echoed sim- ilar concerns, describing the policy as "well-intentioned" but likely to have lim- ited impact on students' workload. "It acknowledges concerns around stu- dent wellbeing and workload. That's nec- essary and overdue," they said. "Howev- er, it risks addressing a symptom rather than the cause." According to the primary head, home- work levels are dictated by curriculum demands and assessment pressures rath- er than teacher preference. "Teachers rely on homework to rein- force content they don't have time to consolidate in class," they said, arguing that Malta's reliance on content-heavy, standardised assessments prioritise cov- erage over depth and "reward memorisa- tion". "As long as assessment expectations remain unchanged, reducing homework becomes structurally difficult," the head said. "There is a growing disconnect be- tween educational goals, such as critical thinking and creativity, and what is ac- tually measured in exams. Homework, in this context, becomes a compensatory mechanism." Another issue teachers are facing is conflicting pressures, having to juggle policy directives to reduce homework, systemic demands for results, and paren- tal expectations. "This creates a professional tension: Reduce homework and risk under-pre- paring students, or maintain it and risk non-compliance," they said. Homework necessary, and problematic Education Faculty Dean Colin Calleja also acknowledged the complexity of the issue, describing homework as both nec- essary and problematic. "There is a reality where children's af- ternoons have become a chore instead of time for play," he said. "Yes, homework is taking a lot of time." At the same time, he stressed home- work remains important in consolidating learning in certain subjects. The key concern, he said, is when homework is used to compensate for cur- riculum pressures, as was detailed by the headmasters who spoke to MaltaToday. "It should not be given to cover the cur- riculum, and it should not be parents' job to teach. That creates inequality. Some parents can help, others cannot," he said. Calleja noted debates over syllabus size have been ongoing for years, with little tangible reduction in workload despite reforms. He called for a balanced approach, pointing out that while some forms of homework, such as language assign- ments, could be reduced in favour of reading and listening, certain students still require structured tasks to stay en- gaged. On the policy itself, Calleja was critical of its lack of clarity. "There are good principles on paper, but no clear indicators or guidance on what should be done," he said. "Will homework actually be reduced, or is it just rhetoric? I fear it may be the latter." He said there is still obscurity sur- rounding the policy, and teachers need better guidance, or else the policy will have been presented for nothing. KARL AZZOPARDI kazzopardi@mediatoday.com.mt Education Faculty Dean Colin Calleja