REGIONAL SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL FOR REGION I

Ma. Cristina East, Bangar, La Union

“No Homework Policy”

JMA
Does giving homework to our learners really help them in the aspect of education? How
favorable and beneficial is homework to the both parties- learners and educators?
Homework is defined by Merriam Webster Dictionary as a research or reading done in
order to prepare for something and as the term itself, it is a work that a student is given to do at
home which has the same meaning given by Cambridge Dictionary and other dictionaries- may
it be online or not.
Common homework assignments may include required reading, writing or typing
project, mathematical exercises to be completed, information to be reviewed before a test or
other skills to be practiced. So, homework is a vital part of education for it gives students the
opportunity to acquire and apply knowledge gained not only inside the classroom but also the
whole community. Thus, this “No Homework Policy” should be ostensibly taken into account for
if not be modified its attainability, it destroys the good image of education, the skills that should
be developed by homework could slowly deteriorate and gives learners more chances to spend
time on other matters which majority of the time are their devices.
In the Senate, Sen. Grace Poe filed Senate bill 966 or the proposed "No Homework
Law" mandating all primary and secondary schools in the country to not allow teachers to
give any homework or assignments to students from Kinder to Grade 12 on weekends.
Under the proposed measure of Senator Poe intended for public and private schools,
teachers may only assign homework to students on weekends provided that it will be
minimal and will not require more than four hours to be completed. Poe cited a study from
the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development's Program for International
Student Assessment which says that the additional time spent on homework has a
negligible impact on the performance of students.
MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Education (DepEd) has expressed its
support for the no-homework policy bills proposed by lawmakers at the House of
Representatives. DepEd, in a statement released on Wednesday, August 28, said the
measures would “enable learners to have more quality time with their parents, family, and
friends by limiting the homework [and] assignment to a reasonable quantity. Also,
Escudero filed House Bill (HB) No. 3611, which seeks to remove homework as a
requirement and have Kinder to Grade 12 students do academic activities solely within
school premises.“Homework assignments can deprive students and parents [of] precious
quality time for rest, relaxation, and interaction after schools hours and even on weekend,”
the bill’s explanatory note reads.
DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones said that she supports proposed laws prohibiting
homework for students saying that students lose time for rest and bonding with family and
friends due to homework, which is sometimes completed by tutors or carers. She said that
she wanted all formal study, assignments, projects, whatever, to be done inside the school
because when the students get home, they will have free time to be with their parents,
friends.
It can be recalled that DepEd issued DepEd Memorandum No. 392 , series of 2010
that prohibits homework or assignments during weekends “for pupils to enjoy their
childhood and spend quality time with their parents without being burdened by the
thought of doing lots of homework.”
On the contrary, if this “No Homework Bill” becomes law, it would destroy the good
image of education. Teacher’s Dignity Coalition (TDC) headed by Benjo Basas rejected the
proposed ban on homework, saying it is not intended to make life difficult for the students
because he said that the teachers are trained educators and said they know the value of
homework which is all about discipline, responsibility and continuity of learning.
The learner’s skills that should be developed by homework could slowly deteriorate also
if the said bill is pursued into law. The restriction to be only able to do their work in school could
affect the framework of their education. Homework is really a vital part of education. Research
tells us that doing homework not only increases a student’s learning but also helps them learn
important life skills such as organization, problem solving, goal setting and perseverance
(Dayton Daily News, 2010 by William Kirby- Contributing Writer). Other skills such as
developing good work habits and methods, the four macro skills and other will not be honed
further because homework provides students the opportunity to practice or extend the material
learned in the classroom. These skills only show that through homework, we are making our
learners independent as to educational aspects especially on their techniques and styles which
can be applied not only inside the school but also in the whole community. As a result of a “no
homework” policy, Filipino students will be less prepared for higher education or the workforce,
and ultimately the entire country will suffer the consequences. Those are all very reasonable
considerations. There is an overlooking of the trade-offs that in the long run, the quality of
education, the future competitiveness of young Filipinos shall be eroded.
Many of the youth today, even in the absence of homework, would prefer to spend time
on other matters which majority of the time are their devices. Assignments are not the only thing
standing in the way of a child’s bond with their family. The said bill really gives no assurance
that the time that could be potentially allotted to them will be put to the expected way of use
(Editorial Article from THE TAKEAWAY FROM NO TAKE-HOMES by Lucero, 2019.)
Instead of spending their time for educational aspect, a lot of learners are reported and
complained that they tend be with their gadgets than with their families or friends. Another
teachers’ group the Federation of Associations of Private Schools and Administrators (FAPSA)
headed by Eleazardo Kasilag mentioned that having no homework on weekend produced
cybercrime, cyber addiction, depression, which they said are happening when the children are on
vacation or when they are doing nothing. From a practical point of view, homework allows
“more education” than can be fit into a few hours of a school day and far from preventing
families from bonding, homework encourages parents to become more involved in their
children’s educational activities.
“No Homework Policy” should be ostensibly taken into account and should there be a
modification of its attainability. Homework has always been in our education system. They are
given out by teachers to enrich the knowledge of their learners in ways that can extend to their
own homes. The very same education system that has produced the functioning intellectuals we
have today. With all the arguments shown and stated, lawmakers and DepEd though are in good
position, should come out with a better deal that will benefit the learners and the teachers and
will not jeopardize the deterioration of quality of education and diminishing the study skills of
the learners.