Get involved-it is a relationship 

Samuel Daniel, A 30-year-old Nigerian studing in Beijing

It is a fact that parents' roles in children's homework fosters a positive effect on kids' academic performance. In Nigeria, for instance, it is every parent's dream to see their children succeed academically as it is believed education is the key to a successful life. In line with that, parents play significant roles in their children's education by not just leaving it in the hands of the teachers but actively engaging in the overall process. 

I remember when I was in primary school, whenever I came home with many assignments, my parents helped a lot in revising what I was taught in the school and then showed me how to do the homework. They also made it their priority to supervise while I was learning how to read and write alphabets. It really helped me develop a positive learning attitude and good grades in class because I learned with enthusiasm when revising school lessons with my parents.

However, not all parents in my country are able to help their children with the homework due to job pressure, while some do not even have formal education to do that. But what intrigues me the most about many parents in my country is that they provide a home tutor for their children to help with school tasks to fill the vacuum.

In my opinion, it is worthwhile for parents to take part in their children's homework, as a way of building a relationship, good memories, and the self-esteem of their kids. They should not see helping with their children's assignments as a burden. As every parent aspires to see their children excel in life, children's homework should be taken as an avenue where parents contribute their knowledge to their children's education or learning process. Finally, parents' involvement also boosts the teachers' morale.

Help with right expectations

Tao Jinghui, A 38-year-old college teacher in Guangdong Province

My daughter has begun her first year in the primary school. As a mother, like most Chinese parents, I have an extensive involvement in her homework. In the beginning, I felt puzzled and thought it was the teacher's duty to help with the homework rather than the parents. But now, I reconsider the role of parents in children's homework because family education also plays an important role in children's education.

It is a common phenomenon in China that tutoring at home leads to a tense relationship between parents and kids. Chinese parents are often eager to have their children gain more knowledge in a short time, while the kids have not yet developed mature learning ability. This paradox leads to tensions during tutoring, which affects the parent-child relationship.

Whose fault is it - parents, teachers, or the whole education system? Before answering this question, I think the more important thing is to figure out what we expect from tutoring at home.

In my case, the kid has just started primary school and the key for her is to develop good leaning habits and methods, rather than quickly gain knowledge. What I need to do is to teach her to note down her homework, arrange time to complete it, and try to understand the importance of learning through homework.

It's not easy to form this habit overnight. So, for one thing, parents need to work with their children to make some rules, such as whether to play first or finish homework first. Parents also need to be more patient in the process of tutoring.

We need to remind ourselves that neither parents nor children are perfect. If there is a sign of tension in the relationship, parents should timely adjust their mood and calmly communicate with their children.