Romanian students spend almost 2 times more hours by doing homework than students in the Nordic countries

Parented Fest Specialist: When time for play and rest is sacrificed for intensive homework, deep learning can be affected

• Romania is in the top of the European countries regarding the time spent by students doing homework, about 13 hours a week. At the opposite pole is Finland, where the students only spend 6 hours a week for themes.
• “Investing a larger number of hours in regular lessons and themes is not always associated with better results,” according to the study PISA 2022, carried out under the coordination of OECD.
• Daniel Siegel, an expert in parenting and neuropsychiatrist: “More than 13 hours a week dedicated to themes do not automatically bring better results. When time for play and rest is sacrificed for intensive topics, deep learning can be affected.”

Romania is located in the top of the European countries regarding the time spent by students doing themes, 13 hours a week, according to the PISA 2022 study, conducted under the coordination [1]. At the opposite pole is Finland, where students allocate only 6 hours a week for themes, but also Switzerland, Czech and Denmark – with 7 hours.

“Investing a larger number of hours in regular lessons and themes is not always associated with better results,” the study conclusions are said.

The same number of hours as in our country is also found in Turkey, Bulgaria and Macedonia.

According to the fundamental principles of the neurobiology of development, especially from the perspective of Daniel Siegel, an expert in parenting and neuropsychiatrist, who will be present on the Parenteed Fest stage this autumn, More than 13 hours a week dedicated to themes do not automatically bring better results. On the contrary, in play states, the nervous system of the child relaxes, and the frontal lobes, active in processes of resolution and creativity, are more efficient. When the time for play and rest is sacrificed for intensive topics, deep learning can be affected.

“It can be learned enormously through play. When children play, their nervous system is in a state of relaxation, and in this state, the frontal lobes of their brain are activated, giving them the ability to reason, solve problems and assimilate new information,” says Dr. Daniel Siegel.

Siegel emphasizes the importance of safe emotional connection with the child: real development is not based on excessive academic expectations, but on a sense of safety and mental integration. Thus, a loaded school program does not guarantee the performance if the child does not feel sustained.

Our country is outdated by Georgiawith 17 hours, Italy and Albania with 16 hours, Malta with 15 hours and Greece, Moldova and Kosovo with 14 hours. Then follow a group of countries 12 hours weekly as Croatia, Poland, Lithuania, Ukraine and Spainand immediately after them they come France, UK, Estonia, Serbia, Latvia and Belgiumeach with 11 hours.

Students from Hungary, Portugal, Holland, Montenegro I spend on average 10 hours a week for themes, and those in Ireland, Slovenia, Sweden, Ireland and Austria9 hours.

In Iceland, Norway, Germany and Slovakiathe average is 8 hours, and in Switzerland, Denmark and Czech7 hours. Finland It has the lowest average in Europe, with only 6 hours a week.

Dr. Daniel Siegel will hold a conference in Bucharest, on October 4, 2025, within the Parenteed Fest 2025.

The largest parenting event in Romania, Parented Fest, will take place on October 4-5, 2025, in Bucharest. The event, reached the second edition, will bring together world -class experts in the field of children's raising and care: Maggie DentExpert recognized in parenting and author of books on the balanced development of children; Dr. Laura Markhampsychologist and author of bestsellers about the parenting based on the connection; Dr. Shefaliinternational clinical psychologist, who returns to Parenteed Fest for the second time, after the success registered at last year's edition; Dr. Gordon Neufeldpsychologist specialized in child development and pioneer in the field of attachment; Tamara Neufeld Strijacktherapist and author and Dr. Daniel Siegelworld -renowned neuropsychiatrist and pioneer in integrating neuroscience with psychology.

Parenteed Fest 2025 is supported by Lidl Romania – Strategic Partner, Sanador – Healthcare Partner, Kids Hero – Empowerment Partner Foundation, as well as Thedamar, Catena, Raiffeisen Bank, Active, English Kids Academy, Maison Dadoo, Aquatique.

Innovation Partners: Alfa Foundation, Bog'art Foundation.

Media partners: Magic FM, Mind Architect, Itsy Bitsy, Zyx Books, Psychology Page, Psychologies, Ringier Romania, Parents and Dwarfs, Weekend Truth, Mommy Hai.

Tickets are put on sale on https://parentedfest.ro/ and on the network iabilet.ro.

Media partnership