Romanian students tend to devote more than double the time to homework compared to their Nordic counterparts, according to experts, who express concerns regarding potential effects on their learning process.
In October 2025, Bucharest, Romania will play host to ParentED Fest, a conference that aims to delve into various aspects of child development and education. Several renowned experts in the field will be in attendance, including neuropsychiatrist Daniel Siegel, psychologist Dr. Laura Markham, and Dr. Gordon Neufeld, a pioneer in child development and attachment.
One of the key topics that will be discussed at the conference is the stark difference in homework time across Europe. According to OECD's PISA 2022 data, Romanian students spend an average of 13 hours per week on homework, nearly twice as much as students in Nordic countries like Finland, who spend only 6 hours.
This disparity can be attributed to several factors. For instance, Romanian schools tend to assign more homework as part of traditional teaching methods that focus on repetition and individual work, whereas Nordic countries emphasize in-class learning, student well-being, and fewer out-of-school assignments.
Another reason is the pressure to perform well in exams and external testing, which is more pronounced in Romania. This pressure drives schools and teachers to assign more homework to prepare students adequately. Frequent curriculum changes and administrative burdens for teachers can also contribute to assigning more homework as a compensatory strategy.
Resource and pedagogical limitations, such as limited educational budgets, lack of modern teaching tools, and overwork among educators, further exacerbate the situation in Romania, leading to a reliance on homework for practice and learning continuation.
Cultural and systemic expectations also play a role. There may be cultural attitudes that value homework as a key indicator of effort and success, and national educational policies may reinforce this by linking performance to homework volume.
In contrast, Nordic countries like Finland prioritize less homework to promote equity, reduce student stress, and focus on quality of teaching and learning rather than quantity of out-of-school work.
It's important to note that the study found that more hours spent on lessons and homework do not necessarily lead to better academic performance. In fact, excessive homework can come at the expense of play and rest, which are essential for deep learning. In a relaxed state during play, children's nervous systems function optimally, activating the brain's frontal lobes responsible for problem-solving, reasoning, and creativity.
Sacrificing play and rest time can limit a child's ability to learn effectively. This is a concern that neuropsychiatrist Daniel Siegel will address during his conference at ParentED Fest 2025.
For more information about the conference, please contact Irina Marica at irina.marica@our website. Join us in Bucharest this October to explore the world of child development and education, and learn how to foster a balanced approach to learning for our children.
[1] OECD (2022). PISA 2022 Results: What Students Know and What They Need to Know. [4] European Commission (2021). Education and Training Monitor 2021: Romania.
- At ParentED Fest 2025, neuropsychiatrist Daniel Siegel will discuss the impact of sacrificing play and rest time on a child's ability to learn effectively, emphasis on education-and-self-development and learning.
- In contrast to Romania, Nordic countries like Finland prioritize less homework to promote equity, reduce student stress, and focus on quality of teaching and learning rather than quantity of out-of-school work, demonstrating a balanced approach to learning and education-and-self-development.
