* Your teacher/instructor: They are the ultimate authority. If they assign homework and it's part of your grade, then yes, you have to do it to succeed in the class.
* Your school's policies: Schools often have policies regarding homework and its impact on grades.
* Your age and educational level: Younger students might have more mandatory homework than older students, who may have more independent learning projects.
* The course's requirements: Some courses might be more heavily reliant on homework assignments for learning and assessment than others.
In short, while homework is common in education, whether it's mandatory is determined by the specifics of your situation. If you're unsure, check your syllabus, ask your teacher, or consult your school's policies.