On September 10, 2010, Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Armin A. Luistro issued DedEd Memorandum No. 392, directing teachers not to give their public elementary school pupils homework or assignments on Saturdays and Sundays. The reason behind this directive is the observation that many parents have been complaining about not being able to spend quality time with their children during the weekends because of too much school-related homework.
While recognizing the importance of homework as a way to enhance the students’ knowledge and skills, Luistro also advised teachers not to burden their wards with a heavy workload during the weekdays to give their pupils ample time to rest and relax at home for the rest of the day.
The said directive when shared by UNTV Radio La Verdad 1350 KHZ on its Facebook garnered more than 8,600 likes and 31,000 shares after it was first posted.
However, not everyone agreed to DepEd’s directive. There were some who believed that Luistro’s observation was valid while others said that doing homework is also a way for parents to spend quality time with their children. Still, there were a few who intensely disagreed with it, saying that they survived their homework-heavy school days but still were able to enjoy their childhood.
Personally, I believe that daily assignments keep students in practice. Because of this homework, they are able to relate to each aspect of their school work and understand the basic concepts that were covered inside the classroom. Likewise, assignments and projects help students learn the value of time. This is a vital skill which they will need in the future, they will learn how to manage time and perform better.
But realistically speaking, I also know that almost all students who have a huge workload are additional pressured, not just to perform better academically but also pressured by peers and family members which only makes matters worse. When a student is bogged down by dozens of assignments, it can make him give up school completely.
When you have to carry work back, it questions the futility of the teachings at school. If you have to study at home too, then what is the point of going to school?
Also, there is no hard and fast rule in checking whether the student really did the work by himself. Nowadays, students can ask help from anyone or from companies that assist students in their assignments for a certain fee. In this manner, they hardly learn anything at all yet they get good grades.
Worse, because of the homework load students get from their teachers, they miss out on other important activities like sports and hobbies (granting that they indeed are the ones doing their homework). I believe young people must take part in extracurricular activities. This helps them in their development. When they are so engrossed at home studying all day, they may not get all the development they need. Without sports and games, a young person will become emotionally weak, melancholy, and depressed.
Like many other issues, the matter on the ‘no homework’ policy surely has its own set of advantages and liabilities.
What do you think? Is this favorable or not?
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