Does the DepEd directive for teachers not to give any homework to students during weekends sit well with you?

Carmela Ramento, Cagayan De Oro City: The good Secretary must have endured a loadful of homework to do on weekends when he was a student, hence the directive. See me clapping my hands and feet stomping on the floor.

Lucas Banzon Madamba, USA: It’s not an appropriate directive. Teachers should continue to give homework to students even during weekends in order for students to sustain their momentum towards learning.

Hooray!

Jose Fabello Jr., Cagayan de Oro City: If this directive was given 50 years ago, I would have been the happiest of all. Nonetheless, I still had great weekends and I compensated by doing my homework early Monday mornings.

Louella Brown, Baguio City: The DepEd directive for teachers not to give any homework to students during weekends sits very well with me. If teachers teach very well, seatwork is enough reinforcement for lessons learned. Give the kids a break.

Concepcion Gaspar, Laoag City: Students, especially in the elementary grade, are overloaded with homework that are, in the end, accomplished by parents. Giving too many assignments deprives the learner of time to relax and bond with his family.

Jose de Perio, Metro Manila: Sinusuwerte yata mga estudyante ngayon.

Dino Monzon, Caloocan City: Yes, I agree. Elementary and high school students deserve weekends free from the burden of doing homework and projects.

Johann Lucas, Quezon City: Most students will love this for sure, and I do agree, too. It would be good to enforce this policy for students to have time to relax and enjoy with their families during weekends. Two days off from school is enough to gain energy and refresh the students’ minds for Monday.

Rodolfo Talledo, Angeles City: Five days of frenzied school activities is just enough and to assign them extended burdens will stunt their development rhythm.

Ric Vergara, Calamba: I find the directive commendable as students will get to enjoy their weekend break.

Elizabeth Oximer, Negros Occidental: Here in the province, weekends are allotted for helping in household chores. Dumidiskarte rin para may pang-dagdag baon for the following week.

Kathleen Joy Bulseco, Ilocos Sur: I think most of us students will love this policy as it can help students have longer time to rest. However, the downside is that students might forget their lessons, too.

J.R. Mondonedo Jr., Parañaque City:I agree that it is a good idea that there should be no homework on weekends because weekends are intended for family bonding and other recreational activities.

No good

Benjo Basas, Metro Manila: DepEd’s proposed no homework during weekends policy is unnecessary. Homework is not meant to burden learners but to teach them self-learning, self-discipline and time management. For us teachers, this policy is unnecessary and an attack to our academic freedom, which is guaranteed by the Constitution. We ask Sec. Luistro to qualify those homework that should not be given, i.e. expensive ones and those that would really take the time of students (whole-day practice, overnight researches and the like). Bro. Armin, please consider teachers before signing orders and memos.

Jay Marc Mangulabnan, Metro Manila: Frankly, I really don’t like this directive.

Rey Onate, Palayan City: No, it is a directive that was not planned and studied well.

C.B. Manalastas, Manila: This DepEd directive was ill-advised. No homework should be given to students during regular days to give them enough time to rest for the next day.

Elmo Cruz, Manila: I don’t find the directive logical. Homework does not lessen time for family bonding or other forms of relaxation.

It goes both ways

Ed Gulmatico, Bacolod City: For public school students who are poor and who need to work every weekend to help their families, this directive is favorable. But for students in private schools who belong to middle class and rich families, this DepEd order will just give them more time to engage in useless and unproductive endeavors like going to parties, malls or hanging out with friends.

Part of a student’s life

Miguelito Herrera, Cabanatuan City: Fine with me. They should be given time to relax and bond with the family through outdoor activities. However, homework or assignments are part of a student’s life so more often than not, teachers should be encouraged to give these to their students. Learning is a continuous process and doesn’t end in the school premises.

Lincoln Alagad Abad, Parañaque City:  I don’t buy the idea but the students will love it. Whatever day it is, teachers should give more assignments to develop the brains of students.

Ruben Viray, Antipolo City: I still believe that a reasonable quantity of assignments should be given to students during weekends to enable them to recall what was taken up days before. But too much homework is not recommended either because it deprives them of time for family bonding and other personal activities.

Chyna Mae Lao, Ilocos Sur: Homework is good for students because this will make them learn and explore more. Learning goes on no matter what.

Edwin Chinel Monares, Rizal: Homework is part of the learning discipline. The DepEd should instead encourage the giving of well- thought-out homework. It is also an opportunity for parents to teach their children.

Celina Denise Javier, Vigan City: No. If teachers will not give students assignments on weekends, students will be neglectful on reviewing their lessons. Homework is part of the students’ responsibility.

Mica Mae Galacgac, Ilocos Sur: Homeworks should be given during weekends because these would make students review their past lessons and study their topics for the following week.

Nicole Anne Battad, Ilocos Sur: By doing their homework, students will be prepared to answer all the questions of their teachers. In the long run, teachers, will no longer give assignments to students if they see that they are fully equipped with the necessary knowledge.

Too much relaxation

Dennis Montealto, Mandaluyong City: When we were younger, it helped that we brought home something to do from school. Bonding time with one’s family can also be done by accomplishing the homework with the parents. Anyway, the teacher can detect who did the homework and who didn’t. The DepEd’s decision-makers must have a good reason for this directive. But it could also mean too much relaxation for the kids who end up spending time at the Internet shop playing computer games.

Roger Caravana, Bulacan:  The directive of the DepEd regarding the scrapping of homework for students during weekends is counter-productive.

Richard Decena, Quezon City: No, no, manonood lang ng cartoons ang mga bata buong araw.

Rey Ibalan, Antipolo City: While it can help strengthen family bonding, it will also afford students more time to spend playing addictive Internet games.

Larry Parroco, Metro Manila: This proposal of the DepEd would only make students lazy. On the other hand, giving them homework on weekends would make them busy and productive.

Ed Ledesma, Iloilo City: No homework on weekends encourages laziness among students.

Which is which?

Elpidio Que, Vigan: Baka naguguluhan na si Brother Luistro with this DepEd directive. Earlier, he wanted the number of schoolyears stretched then now he has this order? Things should remain as they are, but teachers should not give homework that are too difficult for the students. Sundays are supposed to be for resting and with light homework, students will be able to do this.

Good for mommies, too

Ella Arenas, Pangasinan: Well, it’s a good idea so mommies will have all the time to do what they are supposed to do during weekends.

No more seminars

Manuel Abejero, Pangasinan: Logical, no problem with me. But DepEd should stop requiring teachers to attend seminars on weekdays. Mahina na ang sistema, madalas pa walang pasok.

More time on weekends

Nito Aquino, Makati City:  That DepEd policy of no homework during weekends directive is wrong. Students have more time to do assignments on weekends than on weekdays.

Alexander Raquepo, Ilocos Sur: Yes, but this directive will not prevent parents like me from personally reviewing and studying with our kids during weekends.

Germi Sison, Cabanatuan City: Weekends are the best days for students to do their homework because they have more time as we did more than half a century ago. My grandson, however, claims that when he does his homework on Saturday, he may forget them on Monday. I told him to concentrate more on his studies rather than his video games.

Stephen Chua, Vigan City: I think it is necessary to give students homework during weekends but it should not be too complicated.

Sharmaine Joy Pascua, Ilocos Sur: Homework can strengthen the communication lines and relationship of students and their parents for they spend their time working together for the assignment.

Guidance only

Ret. Col Ben Paguirigan Jr., Zamboanga City: No, the DepEd directive for teachers not to give any homework to students during weekends seems not to sit well with us. They should just give guidance.

Less assignments

L.C. Fiel, Quezon City: Lessen assignments, yes, but not totally stop homework during weekends because doing the homework would also mean bonding time for kids and their working parents.

Deo Durante, Camarines Sur: That would mean a grand holiday for students during weekends! However, homeworks are designed to enhance the student’s mental activity, so removing it will create a vacuum. I don’t agree with the removal of homework during weekends but it should be regulated.

Randolph Hallasgo, Misamis Oriental: For me, the best thing to do is to minimize assignment and help students improve their listening skills.

Leave it to the schools

Naty Cacdac, Metro Manila:  Let us not over-regulate our schools. Leave the issue of homework and teaching strategies to their sound judgment.

Nestor Buñag, Mandaluyong City: The number of homeworks each day for students is already planned.

Needs further scrutiny

Rico Fabello, Parañaque City: I think DepEd needs more time to study this directive.

Lowering the bar

Juan Eduardo, Baguio City: In a nation of inferior education, we want our students to study less, so the bar goes even lower.

Non-issue

Joan Cejes, Makati City: Homework does not benefit the teachers nor the parents but the students themselves. It shapes our children’s values as well so let this not be an issue.

Selective implementation

Lolong Rejano, Marinduque: The DepEd should review this directive about giving homework to students during weekends. Implementation should be done gradually. I suggest weekend homework should be given only to below average students. The impact can be easily evaluated through proper monitoring of the student’s performance.

Views expressed in this section do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of The STAR. The STAR does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of readers exercising their right to free expression. The publication also reserves the right to edit contributions to this section as it sees fit.

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