[siedes]

Considering that most people on HN are self-starters who had to learn things on their own whether by necessity or just because they preferred it that way, it may not be so obvious that a good number of people are not able to have that kind of freedom. Whether for good or bad, these types of people must be coerced toward doing things for their own good, like with punishment for not doing the homework, otherwise they would choose to do nothing and fail. Even with homework and all the punishments, there's kids who still can't be made to work. But if the teachers gave them homework...you can't say they didn't try you know. If there was no homework, I'm sure a number of parents would be complaining how the schools didn't do anything for their children. And parents generally pay taxes, that funds these schools.

Perhaps there should be a way for kids to opt-out of homework provided they have the grades and work ethic? And then this would incentivize other kids to try harder as well if they want that privilege.