Pinoy Parents React to No-Homework Policy: 'Zero Homework Breeds Lazy Childhood'

Last month, House Deputy Speaker  Evelina Escudero filed  House Bill No. 3611, which seeks to establish a no-homework policy for Kinder to Grade 12 students in both public and private schools. The bill also proposes that children not be required to bring home textbooks “to prevent the adverse effects of carrying heavy bags to-and-from school."

While the bill has yet to become a law, the  Department of Education (DepEd) has already expressed support for it. DepEd Secretary  Leonor Briones agreed that kids should be able to spend time with their parents and rest. She also acknowledged that often, it’s the parents, tutor, or yaya who does the child’s homework.

Currently, DepEd has issued DepEd Memorandum No. 392, which orders teachers not to give homework to elementary students on weekends. This is already being implemented in all public schools nationwide.

What Pinoy parents think of the ‘no-homework policy’

While there are benefits to having zero homework, parents and teachers had mixed reactions about the proposal. We ran a poll on our Smart Parenting Facebook page and out of the almost 2,000 votes, 80% believe that students still need homework, while 20% think children can do without it.

Here are some of the reasons why:

‘No-homework policy’ should only be applicable to Kindergarten up to Grade 3 students

“Madalas parents gumagawa pati project ni bagets. Pero need [pa rin] turuan si bagets para matuto naman lalo na ng basic.” — Levs Soriano

“Ang sumasagot sa homework parents. ‘Yung mga bata, maaga na nga gumigising tapos pagod buong araw, late pa makakatulog kasi may gagawin pang homework. Worst is ‘pag hinhinitay nila mga mama nila para sumagot sa homework. E ang mama pagod sa buong araw na trabaho, plus kailangan pa nilang maging ina at asawa sa bahay. Dadagdag pa mga homework na sasagutan.” — Aeimnr Ann

“May experience na kasi kami ng anak ko when he was five years old, tapos four subjects may assignment. Kahit kaya ng anak ko tapusin ‘yun, naaawa ako sa kanya. Mas gusto ko pang magbasa kami ng storybooks sa gabi kaysa magpuyat para gawin ang homework.” — Riza Magaru

No homework on weekends is fair enough

“Ok lang naman weekends walang homework. Just to [refresh] their minds and to have time for family [bonding]. Students also have a life outside the school. [No homework on weekends] to avoid na ma-burnout yung students. Hindi naman rin sa homework nakasalalay ang improvement ng estudyante. Sipag at tamang paggabay po.” — Lara Omangayon

Students need homework, but not too much of it

“Not too much to the point na isang buong chapter sa book e homework ng bata, parang college na. Kindergarteners need homework, kahit simpleng counting numbers, [identifying] colors and shapes, and basic reading para madevelop study habits and comprehension nila.” — Vikki Joyce

“Homework should only serve as follow-up for lessons. Not bulks and loads of homework for little, growing brains. Nakaka-stress.” — Kate Tolentino

“[Children] need homework as reinforcement of their learning and to develop good study habits. What I don’t like are lengthy assignments given especially to preschoolers and elementary students. Homework should only get at most 45 minutes of a student’s time [at home] so they can rest their minds, have time for family bonding and be ready for the next day. However, many times, assignments eat up the three hours that parents and kids have for bonding after parents’ work.” — Christine Altea

How about homework only for weekends?

“Sa school ng prep ko, every weekend lang ang homework and we both love it. We can learn and bond with each other while teaching him to do his homework as one of our quality time. Hindi naman din kasi kadamihan, ‘di naman mauubos ang weekend naming kakagawa ng assignment.” — Boss Mommay Jane

Homework helps kids avoid screen time

“Kung walang homework totally, ano ba gagawin ng mga bata sa panahon ngayon? Online games? Tutok sa cellphone? Kung ganyan din gagawin ng anak ko, mas mabuting may assignment basta schooldays.” — Gelai Jmnz

“Mas ok pa rin para sa akin ang homework para hindi puro laro. Saka pati mga projects, back to basics, hindi puro kay Google at sa PC galling. Mag-e-effort din talaga ‘yung bata.” — Maye San Juan

Students don’t need homework

“A whole day at school is enough for learning. After school is time for family and a time to rest. They need a balanced life. Life isn’t about academic learning only.” — FL Reyes

Yes, students need homework

“Zero homework breeds lazy childhood. Balanced homework is the key.” — Sharmaine Maternal

“They need it as part of their discipline. In real life kasi walang madali. Perhaps they just need to monitor the load of assignments given per day para realistic na matapos ang assignment at the same time may time pa siya for fun and family. All work and no play makes a dull person kasi.” — Jaybhe Cat

“Yes to homework. It instills discipline and time management. ‘Di naman kailangan parents ang gumawa. Kaya lang naman parents ang gumagawa kasi gusto natin mataas ang marka lalo na kapag essay. Ang mga guro nagbibigay ng assignment base sa kakayahan ng bata. Sa pag-aaral, kailangan ng follow up sa bahay. Hindi kailangan magulang ang gumawa [dahil] tinuturuan natin sila [ang mga bata] na maging dependent. Ipagawa natin then i-check kung tama. Kung mali, ipaulit. Kung ‘di talaga makuha, dun tayo papasok para ipaintindi pa.” — Ma Lorence Lopez

“It’s ok for parents to help their children. Hindi naman ibig sabihan na tinuruan ng magulang e magulang na ang gumawa. Remember, we are our children’s first teacher. We should always be there every step of the way to guide them and teach them.” — Wena Medina

“Homework gives time for parents and kids to bond. This is memorable for kids, too. And most of all, this is one way of training our kids with time management, prioritizing what’s needed and urgent, reflecting and giving time to understand their lessons more with the help of their parents without the fear of rejection (sometimes kids are afraid of raising their hands to ask questions).” — Ferbie Manaloto

While the parents are divided over this proposed policy, most agree that students still need homework, however, the workload should be monitored. There are essential life skills that kids can learn by doing homework, and it will help them greatly when they step into adulthood.

On the other hand, out-of-the-box methods and a holistic approach to learning have also proven successful for other countries. Not only does it produce students who are academic achievers, but these students also feel healthier and more secure.

Whether or not the no homework policy is passed as law, one thing remains unchanged: it is the parent’s role to provide structure and guidance for their children, and they should work with their child’s teachers to ensure that their child thrives in school.

Do you think zero homework for kids? Click here for a parent’s account on how her children fared with less — or usually zero — homework.