Thank you, Mr. Chairman. There is no question that the department sets out, in broad strokes, the mandate. We have the mandate to set out what the curriculum is and what has to be achieved in the course of a year, but do we stipulate that there has to be homework in the early years of school? Absolutely not. I can tell you I have seen documents from school boards that say our philosophy is that children should start homework in the earliest years so that they get good habits set up. That's their philosophy. That's not the Department of Education's philosophy. I am not a teacher. I am not a professional educator, but I would sincerely doubt that it would be required for a child to bring home homework in the early years of school. I don't think they have to bring home homework to achieve what is set out in the curriculum. I believe that when it is being sent home, it's being sent home because there is a philosophy of developing a standard of good study habits.
Charles Dent on Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
In the Legislative Assembly on February 23rd, 2005. See this statement in context.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
February 23rd, 2005
Page 1515
See context to find out what was said next.