Homework is one of the things most students spend time on. Especially if the homework they were set to accomplish is for a decent grade, students would really take a toll and spend efforts for it. This is why two (2) bills submitted at the House of Representatives proposed a no-homework policy for children from kindergarten until high school.
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What does the no-homework bill impose?
As per the lawmakers who made this bill a reality, homework causes students to spend more academic time even while at home whereas it could be used to spend time with their family and peers.
Different lawmakers who shared the same insight thought of having the no-homework bill effective to help households bond for a decent time.
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Evelina Escudero, Deputy Speaker, said that homework and assignments can divest both students and parents time for rest, interaction, and even relaxation.
Through House Bill No. 3611, she looks to completely eliminate the idea of homework; not just ban it during weekends.
Homework assignments can deprive students and parents precious quality time for rest, relaxation and interaction after school hours and even on weekends.”
In order for the students to really take their minds off of school outside of school hours, her no-homework bill also requires students to deposit their textbooks in school after their classes; not only would it help students think less of academics, it will also save them from carrying heavy learning materials going to and from school.
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Homework assignments can deprive students and parents precious quality time for rest, relaxation and interaction after school hours and even on weekends.”
What would this proposal impose?
Escudero explains that this proposal will both ease the students off of their burden by lightening what they will bring and to promote quality family time and interaction.
Furthermore, it will help compel teachers and schools to come up with a better, a more “holistic” and effective approach to learning.
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The bill read that all schools under basic education shall ensure that kindergarten students, up to the sixth (6th) Grade shall leave and deposit their textbooks in school before leaving for their homes.
All basic education schools shall ensure that all Kinder to Grade 6 students shall deposit and leave their textbooks in school.”
Homework Ban on weekends
A similar thought of Escudero’s no-homework bill, which is House Bill No. 3883, is a measure that would prohibit teachers from assigning homework to students for the weekend.
Although students would still be required to do homework during the weekdays, they would be free during the weekends with H.B. 3883, a proposal by Alfred Vargas, Quezon City Representative.
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Decrease interest in learning
In his bill, he mentioned a South African study back in 2018 that suggests homework as a burden on both the parents of students and to the students. This, therefore, leads to the declination of learning interest and family time.
Moreover, he said that few groundbreaking studies really suggested that homework has drastic impact in the family lives of students—most in a negative way.
In addition, a few landmark studies have suggested that homework does impact upon family life, in some cases in a negative way… yet in general, it is positively associated with academic achievement.”
Unlike Escudero’s no-homework bill, Vargas’s version, has a fine for those teachers and schools who would be caught violating the act should the act gets pushed. A fine of P50,000.00 or imprisonment for one (1) to two (2) years on teachers who would violate the condition.
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Vargas said that his bill would not only be of great development to the studies of children (because it will give them some room during the weekend); his bill, as per him will be able to promote the “physical, spiritual, intellectual, moral, and social well-being” of students.
What do you think about the no-homework bill that some lawmakers are pushing? Do you think that this will greatly help students to spend more time with their families?
Source/s: The Philippine Daily Inquirer | Politics PH