A recent Ministry of Education's circular regarding regulating homework to the students is cause for concern as it takes away the professional decision-making role of the headmaster and the subject teacher who actually teaches the student.

These are the professionals who should be making the decisions with any concerns being ironed out at the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) meetings.

The vast majority of our teachers - and definitely all the school heads - have had the necessary teacher training, lasting from one year to three years. Homework that is meant to consolidate the topics taught will vary according to the ability of students and according to the subjects.

Some may need just a few exercises and assignments, while the others may needing more. And this again will vary between regions, the type of schools and the backgrounds of the students.

Administrative rulings that supersede professional decisions of those put in charge of students will ultimately backfire as it will create a generation of teachers who will go through the motion of teaching according to the administrative directives of the ministry only.

The morale of the dedicated teachers who have gone an extra mile for the sake of their students will be undermined as their efforts will be considered a violation of ministry rulings.

I am amazed by the ministry's decision to issue this administrative ruling on homework when it is widely acknowledged that the majority of our students attend private tuition classes - which specialise in more exercises and drills!

Instead of getting rid of the necessity of attending tuition sessions, the ministry's ruling is going to push more parents to send their children to tuition classes. Students are not going to spend time in sporting or enriching recreational activities, if that is the objective of the ruling.

Comparing students' homework in different countries without taking into account the differences of schooling systems - especially the number of hours the students are in school under supervision and the necessity to attend additional tuition classes - is untenable.

The whole schooling system needs an overhaul if we want our students to get a holistic education.