Reconceptualising Homework Standards: Insights from Educator Perspectives in Kosovo's Primary Education

Authors

  • Lirika Bërdynaj-Syla AAB College, Faculty of Social Sciences Rr. Elez Berisha Nr. 56, 10000 Prishtine, Kosovo
  • Arif Shala PDI-Professional Development Institute Rr. Migjeni pn, 10000 Prishtine, Kosovo

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15503/jecs2025.3.625.642

Keywords:

homework, implementation, standard, performance, effectiveness

Abstract

Aim. This study explores the impact and implementation of standardised homework practices in primary education, focusing on teachers’ experiences and perceptions in Kosovo. The aim is to evaluate the effectiveness of these standards in improving teaching efficiency, student engagement, and academic outcomes.

Methods. A qualitative case study was conducted with 10 teachers from a private elementary school in Prishtina. Data was collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews and analysed using thematic analysis. The study investigated how homework standards influence planning, execution, and feedback processes and the challenges faced during implementation.

Results. Findings reveal that standardised homework practices improve organization, reduce workload variability, and increase the timely completion of assignments. Teachers noted better time management, enhanced opportunities for providing feedback, and stronger collaboration with parents.

Conclusion. Standardised practices foster student motivation and engagement while ensuring age-appropriate and manageable workloads. Despite these benefits, challenges include addressing diverse learning needs and maintaining flexibility in homework design. The study concludes that homework standardisation positively influences teaching practices and learning outcomes, offering actionable insights for improving educational policies.

Research Restrictions. The study’s findings are limited by the small sample size, limiting generalisability to broader contexts.

Practical Application. The results highlight the importance of developing evidence-based homework policies to support teachers, students, and families.

Cognitive Value. By examining homework standards in an underexplored educational context, this research provides valuable insights into their role in enhancing primary education practices and policies.

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Author Biographies

  • Lirika Bërdynaj-Syla, AAB College, Faculty of Social Sciences Rr. Elez Berisha Nr. 56, 10000 Prishtine, Kosovo

    Lirika Bërdynaj-Syla, Ph.D., is an assistant professor at the Department of Social Sciences of the AAB College, Kosovo. She has a strong research interest in effective teaching practices and the professional development of educators. Her work focuses on exploring innovative strategies to enhance teaching effectiveness and supporting educators in their continuous professional growth.

  • Arif Shala, PDI-Professional Development Institute Rr. Migjeni pn, 10000 Prishtine, Kosovo

    Arif Shala holds a PhD in Education from Ludwig Maximilians University in Germany and an MA degree in Education from Derby University UK. Currently, he is a post-doctoral researcher at Stuttgart University doing his habilitation on predictors of learning and achievement in Kosovo and Albania and a researcher at the Professional Development Institute PDI Kosovo. In addition, he currently holds a visiting professorship at the University of Continuing Education Krems. Prior to this, he has worked as a professor in higher education in Kosovo teaching in Early childhood education Bachelor programs. His research focuses on comparative educational research, student achievement and large-scale studies (PISA and TIMSS).

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Published

2025-09-23

How to Cite

Bërdynaj-Syla, L. ., & Shala, A. (2025). Reconceptualising Homework Standards: Insights from Educator Perspectives in Kosovo’s Primary Education. Journal of Education Culture and Society, 16(2), 625-642. https://doi.org/10.15503/jecs2025.3.625.642