MANILA, Philippines (1st UPDATE) - Teachers are used to giving their students lots of homework for the weekend.
But with the new Department of Education (DepEd) memorandum, students will now have more free time to enjoy their weekends.
Education Secretary Bro. Armin Luistro ordered all public elementary school teachers to refrain from giving their students weekend assignments.
“Hindi lang naman sa classroom dapat matuto ang mga bata,” explained Luistro.
The education secretary believes that children should spend more quality time with their families and play with their friends.
Jonah Granada, a mother of 2 elementary school students, welcomed the DepEd’s memorandum.
She said she is happy because she will also have more time to rest.
“Lunes hanggang Huwebes tutok naman kami kaya dapat weekend, pahinga,” she said.
Teachers however think otherwise.
“Kaming mga guro, trained kami, hindi namin sasadyaing pahirapan ang mga estuyante. Kailangan yung homework para hindi malimutan ang lesson,” said TDC spokesperson Emmalyn Policarpio. (We’re trained. It’s not our task to make life difficult for students. They need the homework so they won’t forget the lessons.)
According to the group, students should instead be taught discipline and time management so they can balance school work and family time.
In a separate interview with ANC, Alliance of Concerned Teachers secretary general France Castro understands the rationale behind the memorandum.
“We understand the intention [of the DepEd] that the families need more time for bonding. It’s more worthwhile if the parent gets to teach the children,” she said.
Parents will be able to supervise more the studies of their children, especially those in public schools, she said.
“With a bigger number of students in our classes, a teacher can’t attend to all these students. We also need the help and support of parents,” she added.