The Greens in the Berlin House of Representatives are against homework in Berlin schools. From their point of view, there are several arguments against it. “Homework should reinforce what has been learned in class, but not simply outsource lessons to leisure time. Because that takes away children and young people’s time for relaxation and family,” said the Greens’ school policy spokesman, Louis Krüger.
“We are therefore requesting that all in-depth exercises take place at school.” This will reduce the stress on students and parents. At the same time, it will contribute to educational equality. “The parents’ level of education and the circumstances at home must not be decisive for the fulfillment of school tasks,” said Krüger. The state parliament is currently discussing the revision of the Berlin School Act, and will do so again on Thursday in the Education Committee.
The Greens are also critical of the black-red ideas on the transition from primary school to high school. Green parliamentary group leader Bettina Jarasch spoke out in favor of an aptitude test. “The concept of trial lessons, as proposed by the education senator, is, however, too one-dimensional and leaves many questions unanswered,” criticized the Green politician. “This urgently needs to be reworked.”
The Greens also believe that the approach of having students repeat a school year because of poor grades is wrong: “Now that compulsory repeating a year has been abolished at integrated secondary schools and community schools, we propose that repeating a year should only be voluntary at grammar schools,” explained Jarasch. “Instead of putting pressure on students, we are strengthening their sense of responsibility and self-assessment.”
