In a significant policy shift, the Polish government has enacted new rules drastically reducing the amount of homework assigned to younger students.

Under the new decree, teachers are no longer permitted to give required homework to children in grades 1 through 3. For students in grades 4 through 8, homework has been made optional and will no longer count towards a student's grade.

The homework policy changes were implemented this month by the government of Prime Minister Donald Tusk, amid broader discussions about modernising Poland's education system. Critics have argued that the current approach places too much emphasis on rote learning and extensive homework assignments, rather than fostering critical thinking and creativity.

Education Minister Barbara Nowacka said the new limits were prompted by research on the significant mental health stresses facing young students today. "Of the various burdens that children face, the one that could be removed fastest was the homework," she declared.

During last year's parliamentary election campaign, homework reforms gained momentum when a 14-year-old student spoke up at a rally and told the Prime Minister that children "had no time to rest" due to excessive homework and testing. This student has since been featured in government videos promoting the new policies.

While the intent behind the changes is to ease the burden on students, the response has been mixed. Some parents have welcomed the shift, believing it will allow children to enjoy school more. However, others have expressed concerns that eliminating homework could widen educational gaps between students from different backgrounds.

The head of Poland's teachers union cautioned that the new rules were implemented "too quickly, too hastily," without adequate consultation with educators. Some fear removing the homework requirement could undermine opportunities for students to reinforce classroom learning through practice.

As Poland's education system continues to evolve, the debate over the appropriate role of homework in student learning is sure to persist. The strict new limits represent a dramatic shift in policy that will be closely watched both within the country and internationally.