Writing in these columns, Henry Calleja (TMID, 1 January), who like yours truly spent his life either in a classroom or in the head teacher’s office, said that teachers never learn and still believe that the more homework they give the better teachers they are.

That is simply not correct. It is not the teachers who believe that, but the parents. Mr Calleja should know, because of his long connection with pupils and parents, that the very great majority of parents prefer that teacher who gives a reasonable amount of homework.

And when a teacher fails to give any homework, several parents will immediately call on the head teacher and complain very strongly.

Mr Calleja spent several years in the head teacher’s office and he certainly knows what I am saying.

Mr Calleja must also know that several teachers correct the homeworks at home in their spare time.

As I said in my previous letter: if a parent does not want his children to do any homework, he should contact the teacher concerned and tell him that. Nothing can be simpler.

Giov. DeMartino

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