SCHOOLCHILDREN spend more time watching television than doing their homework.

And Bury's education bosses have vowed to do all they can to buck this trend by supporting new government guidelines for homework.

Homework is universally recognised as an important and valuable part of the education process.

But a recent survey found that only four per cent of first year secondary school pupils spend more than two hours a day doing homework. By comparison 33 per cent spend more than three hours a day watching television.

The new Government guidelines have been based on the1997 OFSTED study of schools across the country. It highlighted a need for carefully planned homework assignments, a homework policy led by senior management, high expectations of pupils in completing homework and a regular programme in all subjects so that pupils, teachers and parents know what to expect each week.

Members of Bury Council's education and community services committee will look at holding formal consultations about the guidelines with headteachers and professional associations.

Although schools will not be required by law to follow the guidelines, they may be taken into account in OFSTED inspections.

Many schools already have detailed arrangements for homework and will need to make minimal changes in the light of the guidelines. But for others, implementing them may require radical changes.

To achieve the guidelines education chiefs believe a huge cultural shift in society is needed if the proposals are to be realised on a national scale.

To this end the Government has put forward proposals for a national framework for study support.

It hopes to encourage local businesses, colleges, recreational centres and libraries to all play a part in improving academic performance, improving self-esteem and confidence, developing new skills and creating better motivation and a more positive attitude to learning.

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