Give Us a Break: Make Weekends Homework-Free for Students!

My name is Joshua, and I'm a student who—like lots of other kids—works really hard during the school week. We wake up early, focus in class, take tests, finish assignments, and try to keep up with everything from maths to history. It's not easy, but we do it because we're told it will help us succeed. But then, when Friday finally comes... instead of rest, freedom, and fun, we're handed even more work. That's not fair.

I'm writing this petition because I believe weekends should be free from homework. Not because kids don't want to learn, but because we need time to be ourselves. We spend five full days at school. That's more than enough time to get through the lessons, assignments, and deadlines. The weekend is supposed to be our break—our chance to recover from all that effort, stress, and thinking. And yet, we're still expected to keep working like the week never ended.

You might be wondering, "Is homework really that bad?" Here's the truth: homework takes away everything that makes weekends special. It keeps us stuck inside instead of playing outdoors. It stops us from relaxing with our families, watching movies, going on trips, or just sleeping in for once. I've missed birthday parties, movie nights, and chances to hang out with friends—all because of unfinished assignments due Monday. And I'm not alone. A lot of my classmates feel the same way.

But it's not just about fun—it's about health. Constant pressure, nonstop schoolwork, and never-ending deadlines make kids feel anxious, stressed, and tired. I know people who cry about homework, who feel sick just thinking about it, and who start every Monday already exhausted. That's not how learning should feel. We need downtime to reset, recharge, and take care of our minds. A weekend break can help students return to school focused, calm, and ready to learn.

We also deserve time to explore who we are outside of school. On weekends, we could be drawing, building things, playing sports, writing stories, helping out at home, visiting new places, or reading books we actually choose. That kind of learning—personal, creative, and curiosity-driven—is important too. Homework takes all that time away.

And let's be honest: adults don't expect to work through their weekends unless their job demands it. They take breaks, plan outings, rest, and relax. Kids deserve the same. Just because we're young doesn't mean we shouldn't get time to breathe. We're still growing, still figuring out how to manage stress, emotions, and responsibilities. We need space to do that.

So here's what I'm asking: I want teachers, school leaders, and education officials to rethink weekend homework. Instead of treating Saturdays and Sundays like extra school days, let them be free. Give students the chance to reset, have fun, and come back stronger. Let weekends be about life, not just lessons.

This isn't about being lazy or avoiding schoolwork. It's about respect, balance, and wellbeing. If we trust students to work hard during the week, then we should also trust them to rest when the week ends.

Please sign this petition and help me stand up for every kid who just wants a chance to enjoy their weekend without a pile of papers waiting on the kitchen table. Together, we can make school better, life brighter, and weekends truly ours again.

Thank you for reading. 

 —Joshua