While I agree with the broader point, this is grade A BS and I think you know it.

Anyone who's ever spent time in a classroom viewing the experience with an objective eye knows that teachers can't be reasonably expected to teach everything they need to within the constraints given to them. As a result, they assign homework (reading, projects, busywork) over the course of the semester to ensure that the knowledge they're asked to pass on actually sinks in to the minds of the students.

Good teachers make good homework. Bad teachers make bad homework, but not necessarily because they're trying to waste their students' time.

Most homework during K-12 was time wasting busywork I doubt it was much different for anyone else. I think the broader point was that only a child has a grudge match with a child. The penalty for not doing homework is a zero on that portion of the class. Let them hurt their own grade if they insist. The math teacher was a childish incompetent unfit for his position.

Again, that's bull. There is no need for homework.

Maybe in exceptional circumstances to achieve a specific once-off outcome, but not in _any_ way as a routine thing.

Please, stop encouraging people to waste kids time. :(