‘No homework’ policy could create wrong values among learners

By Merlina Hernando-Malipot Educators from both public and private schools on Tuesday expressed concern on the “no homework” bills noting that the proposal might promote “wrong values” among learners – thus, making the country’s education system more “problematic.” TDC National Chairperson Benjo Basas
(Teachers' Dignity Coalition / MANILA BULLETIN) Proposals made by lawmakers to ban homework for students in both public and private schools – across all basic education levels – did not sit well with the Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) and the Federation of Associations of Private Schools & Administrators (FAPSA). Both groups urged lawmakers, as well as the Department of Education (DepEd), which supported the bills banning home works, to rethink and reconsider the implications on both learners and the education system, as a whole. For TDC, homework should not be seen as a burden but as an avenue to instill discipline and responsibility among learners. "Our teachers are trained educators, we know the value of homework,” said TDC National Chairperson Benjo Basas. Basas, a former public school teacher of Baesa High School in Caloocan City, noted that doing homework teaches a student not only about the subject matter, but also about good values. “Homework is not intended to make life difficult for our students,” he said. On the contrary, Basas believed that homework was all “about discipline, responsibility and continuity of learning.” He added that doing homework also promoted quality time when family members help out the learner to complete the task at hand. “It may also strengthen family bonding - thus quality time,” he added. Meanwhile, FAPSA President Eleazardo Kasilag warned about the impact of the “no homework” bills should they pass into law. “Our lawmakers should consider the situation in our country,” he said. “Homework helps to sustain the flow of lessons banning it for non-academic reasons such as bonding time at home is contrary to the vision of education,” he added. Given that the students do not have the “innate” discipline, Kasilag noted that “we should ban what hinders them from studying like social media, untimely malling or computer games, but not homework.” Kasilag also lamented how the lawmakers have “practically padded our curriculum with everything” –from illegal drugs prevention, election duties, surveying, population census, disaster, nutrition, seminars and training, mass immunizations, community mapping, deworming, and feeding – among others. These efforts, he added, are nothing but “pa-pogi” points. “They are not educators they just need sustaining votes for longer power,” he added. Earlier, Sorsogon representative Deputy Speaker Evelina Escudero filed House Bill (HB) No. 3611 which seeks to remove homework as a class requirement and limit school activities to the campus noting that “homework assignments can deprive students and parents precious quality time for rest, relaxation and interaction after school hours and even on weekends.” Citing studies suggesting that “homework does impact upon family life,” Quezon City Representative Alfred Vargas also filed a similar proposal through HB 3883 which focus on stopping teachers from giving assignments or homework on weekends. Homework as a ‘burden’ Meanwhile, the DepEd backed the bills banning homework among learners. In an interview, Education Secretary Leonor Briones noted that DepEd already had an “existing policy” which discourages giving of homework to learners. “Alam naman natin na kung minsan, ang homework, hindi naman ang bata ang gumagawa pagdating sa bahay,” she said. Briones was referring to the DepEd Memorandum No. 392 series of 2010 which was issued by former Education Secretary Br. Armin Luistro. The said memorandum directed schools that “no homework/assignments shall be given during weekends for pupils to enjoy their childhood.” “I am in favor of this,” Briones said when asked if DepEd supports the said proposals to ban giving of homework. She noted that despite the earlier directive given by her predecessor, there are still schools that continue to give homework to their students “that’s why our lawmakers proposed” these bills. In supporting the said bills, Briones underscored the need for learners and parents – as well other family members – to have quality time for bonding. “Ang gusto natin lahat ng pormal na pag-aaral – assignment, projects, whatever – gagawin sa loob ng paaralan pag-uwi nila, free time nila to bond with their parents, with their friends,” she said. “Meron mga bata na gusto nila, tuloy-tuloy sila mag-aral pero hindi kailangan homework dahil dagdag na burden ito sa bata,” she added. With complaints on overly congested curriculum and school requirements, Briones agreed that homework should no longer be required from the learners. “Marami nagko-complain na mabigat ang curriculum – lalo na sa senior high school tapos may school activities pa sila,” she added. In a separate interview, Undersecretary Annalyn Sevilla noted that DepEd has yet to receive a copy of the said proposals. However, she assured that “this is something our experts will look into.” Meanwhile, TDC and FAPSA maintained that bills such as these are “unnecessary” given the multitude of challenges that the county’s education system currently face. “Homework is not meant to burden learners but to teach them self-learning, self-discipline and time management,” TDC reiterated. Homework or assignments, the group added, instead teaches learners to be responsible individuals and could be maximized as a "bonding activity" for parents and their children. For FAPSA, lawmakers need to come up with “better” and timely proposals that would help address the quality of education in the country. “We need something better from our lawmakers not this very simple HB if they are out of better ideas, we can give you relevant vital and pressing needs of educators,” the group ended.