Ilonggo lawmakers support the proposed “No Homework” policy for learners from kindergarten to Grade 12.
The bills filed by Quezon City Fifth District Representative Alfred Vargas and Senator Grace Poe seek to ban weekend homework only.
Third District Representative Lorenz “Nonoy” Defensor said the homework ban on weekends would give schoolchildren more time to bond with their parents.
Fifth District Representative Raul “Boboy” Tupas, a father of four, emphasized the importance of family bonding.
He said his children spend most of their time doing their assignments on weekends.
“Daw indi mo na sila maistorya bangud damo sila assignments.”
Although in favor of the proposed policy, Second District Representative Michael “Mike” Gorriceta said it must be studied carefully.
On Wednesday, Aug. 28, the Department of Education (DepEd) issued a statement in support of the bills.
“The said issuance aims to enable learners to have more quality time with their parents, family, and friends by limiting the homework/assignment to a reasonable quantity on school days and by eliminating the same during weekends,” the education department said.
On Facebook, results from a poll conducted by IMT NEWS showed that 57% opposed the move to ban teachers from giving assignments while 47% were supportive of the proposed policy.
The poll, conducted from Aug. 28 to 30, 2019, was participated in by 281 followers of IMT NEWS.
The bill filed by Vargas initially imposed P50,000 fine and up to two years of imprisonment on teachers who will violate the policy.
But he clarified on Friday, Aug. 30, that “it was an honest legislative mistake.”
“Inaako ko naman ‘yung pagkakamali ko at tsaka ng office ko,” he said.
Meanwhile, Sorsogon Representative Evelina Escudero filed a similar bill but expands the coverage to include students from kindergarten, as well as the time for homework prohibition to include schooldays.IMT
