The Education Ministry has defended itself after a parent said children were being bogged down with homework.

A parent wrote to The Royal Gazette saying their children were frustrated and ended up tired at school next day after toiling the previous evening on school chores.

The parent said: "Sometimes they are so wound up from doing homework so late they can't fall asleep.

"Children are expected to complete homework assignments and projects, complete community service and extra curricular activities. When do they have a chance to be children?

"I have seen my ten-year-old got back to school this year after Christmas vacation having had to study all of his holiday for the three tests the first week back.

"I have seen a friend's 14-year-old spend his whole Christmas holiday working on a project due the first week back to school."

The single parent complained of being worn out every night helping with their children's homework while weekends were filled up with project work.

"One of my children gets very anxious about the amount of homework given and complains about not being able to have the time to go outside and ride his new bike that he just got for Christmas. These children are losing their childhood."

The parent said a middle school teacher friend had explained teachers were graded on how well children did in tests. "I think children would do better if they were not over anxious or overtired from being stressed out with all the homework given to them. We want our children to be successful and to receive the best education they can get and be the best they can be but at what price?"

Chief education officer Dr. Joseph Christopher said the Education Department had a policy on homework which followed substantial research.

He said Primary 1-3 Students should do no more than 20 minutes per school day on homework, Primary 4-6, 40 minutes maximum, middle school students no longer than an hour and senior school students no longer than two hours.

He said: "The Association of School Principals has advocated for more time at the various levels, but the Ministry has not formally agreed to this request."

"The ministry is in full agreement with concerns about the wellness of our students. It is precisely for that reason the allocation of homework is kept to a reasonable level.

"Children must have the freedom to be involved in other activities.

He urged the parent to raise this issue with the principal to ensure the staff are reminded of their need to coordinate homework assignments.

Dr. Christopher added: "Should there be no satisfactory response, the parent should contact the Ministry for assistance from one of the senior education officers for schools."