Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- 94.1% of Cambodian children aged 6–11 attend school, according to the 2024 Inter-Censal Population Survey, underscoring the importance of effective learning support both in and outside the classroom.
- In 2021, 74% of Grade 6 students did not meet minimum mathematics proficiency levels, highlighting the need for homework to reinforce classroom learning.
- Homework helps students improve understanding and retention of concepts by providing additional opportunities to review and practice what they learn at school.
- Regular homework develops responsibility, discipline, and accountability, teaching students the importance of completing tasks on time.
- By working within assignment deadlines, students build time management and organizational skills that are valuable for academic and personal success.
- Homework strengthens the connection between students, teachers, and parents, creating a supportive environment that helps monitor progress and address learning needs effectively.
Why Is Homework Important for Students?
Why homework is important for students is a question that would be on the mind of any school going kid who would rather go out and play with his or her friends.
While homework may sometimes seem like an additional task, it serves a much greater purpose in a student’s academic and personal development.
Homework acts as an extension of classroom learning, allowing students to revisit lessons, practise new concepts, and strengthen their understanding independently. It provides valuable opportunities for students to apply what they have learned in class, identify areas where they need improvement, and build confidence in their abilities.
There are actually several reasons as to why homework is important for students. This is something that is very well known to the Cambridge IGCSE schools like Harrods International Academy. With 94.1% of Cambodian children aged 6–11 currently attending school according to the government’s 2024 Inter-Censal Population Survey. Let us look at the reasons behind the importance attached by most schools to homework in some detail in this blog.
Helps enhance learning
It’s not enough to acquire knowledge merely by attending classroom lectures. Students need to go over what they learnt in school at home in order to comprehend it effectively. Doing homework is the best way to achieve that end.
In fact, data from Cambodia’s own education system shows that in 2021, 74% of Grade 6 students were not meeting minimum proficiency levels in mathematics – a stark reminder of why reinforcing learning at home through homework is so critical in every International School in Phnom Penh.
Doing work regularly, diligently and purposefully introduces students to academic vigour from an early age, allowing them to learn, grow and develop to the best of their abilities.
Helps build responsibility
Learning to complete one’s homework in a timely fashion constitutes a first lesson in responsibility for school going kids. By making them accountable for completing their homework, schools around the world help their students build responsibility and understand that life is not only about having a good time. You have to be responsible towards your own self,taking care to do the things that are important for securing your future.
Helps achieve academic success
Making students spend time doing their homework gets them invested in their curriculum. Giving them an in-depth understanding of the subjects being studied by them. This helps them perform better at their studies, helping them perform well academically. To that extent homework plays a huge role in the academic success of a school going kid.
Helps one learn time management skills
Given that homework always comes with a built-in submission date, it helps students learn the importance of time management. Being mindful of a deadline helps students work on their time management skills, which augurs very well for their life ahead.
Helps create a communication network
Homework helps teachers and parents obtain a better understanding of how a student is faring at studies. To that extent it creates a communication network between the three, helping the child in question receive critical support wherever required.
Gives the students more time to study
Given how important faring well academically is to students, homework helps students devote the extra time they need to perform well at studies. Also,it helps them improve their conceptual understanding of the subjects they are studying on account of the extra time they need to put into completing their homework. This helps them obtain information in the real sense of the term..
Helps inculcate discipline
Having to complete your homework in a timely fashion on a daily basis is something that helps drill a sense of discipline in school kids.This is because they are made aware from an early age that the cost pof lax discipline with regard to timely submission of homework has a direct bearing upon their academic performance.
Provides a more comfortable study environment
Quite a few children are not able to get comfortable in a classroom setting despite all the encouragement they receive at school. Doing homework regularly is a godsend to such students, as it enables them to focus better at home in what is for them a very comfortable study environment.
How Homework Improves Academic Performance in Students
Homework plays a direct role in improving academic performance by giving students the opportunity to reinforce classroom learning independently. When students revisit lessons at home, they strengthen memory retention, identify areas where they need additional support, and develop a deeper understanding of concepts taught in class.
Regular homework encourages active learning rather than passive listening. Students engage with problems, apply concepts, and practice skills repeatedly, which helps improve accuracy and confidence. Subjects such as Mathematics, Science, and Languages particularly benefit from consistent practice outside the classroom.
At Harrods International Academy, students are encouraged to approach homework as an extension of their learning journey. Through a balanced and purposeful homework approach, learners develop critical thinking, independent learning skills, and the academic confidence needed to excel in the Cambridge IGCSE curriculum and beyond.
Conclusion
Homework is an integral part of every school going kid’s life. Though they often complain about it as it makes them take time out to finish their assignments on time it is vital to their growth and development. As this blog shows, doing homework on a regular basis provides a slew of advantages to school going kids.
It helps enhance their learning ability, making them more responsible in the process. It helps them achieve academic success, while helping them manage their time better. At the same time it helps them set up a useful communication network with their teachers and parents.
Other advantages that accrue to kids on account of homework are providing them with extra study time, helping them inculcate a greater sense of discipline and providing a very comfortable study environment.
There is a stark difference amongst students who take their homework seriously and the ones who don’t with the former being clearly better able to secure their future. It draws a line between the disciplined, mature and aspirational lot from those who go about doing things aimlessly. It is for teachers and parents to step up to the plate and make the latter lot mend their ways and pay the right amount of attention to doing their homework diligently. It will make a huge difference to their lives.
This is the reason why homework is such an integral part of the global formal education system followed by schools around the world.
FAQs
The International Early Years Curriculum (IEYC) uses continuous observation, project-based activities, classroom participation, and developmental milestones to assess children’s progress. Rather than relying solely on traditional tests, teachers evaluate how children learn, communicate, collaborate, and apply knowledge in real-world situations. At Harrods International Academy, our educators regularly share progress updates with parents to ensure every child receives the support they need to thrive
Homework helps students academically by reinforcing lessons taught in the classroom and providing additional opportunities for practice. It strengthens understanding, improves knowledge retention, develops problem-solving abilities, and prepares students for assessments. Consistent homework habits often result in improved grades, stronger study skills and greater academic confidence. Enquire Now to discover how Harrods International Academy nurtures well-rounded learners from the earliest years of education.
Yes. Research and classroom experience consistently show that purposeful homework can improve student performance when it is age-appropriate and aligned with learning objectives. Homework encourages regular revision, helps students identify knowledge gaps, and promotes independent learning. Students who complete homework consistently are often better prepared for exams and classroom discussions.
The International Early Years Curriculum promotes holistic development by supporting children’s cognitive, social, emotional, physical, and creative growth. Activities often extend beyond the classroom through simple home-based learning tasks that encourage curiosity, communication, and family involvement. These early learning experiences help children develop responsibility, confidence, and essential life skills while fostering a positive attitude towards learning.
The amount of homework assigned should be appropriate to a student’s age, developmental stage, and academic requirements. Younger children generally benefit from short, engaging activities that reinforce learning, while older students may require more structured assignments to support advanced coursework. At Harrods International Academy, homework is carefully designed to balance academic growth with students’ wellbeing, extracurricular activities, and family time. Contact Us to learn more about our student-centred learning approach.
