HELLO, ASSIGNMENT, GOODBYE
Schools and colleges are the places where a teacher clears the concepts and asks the students to learn in their homes on their own. It has been said that learning is not just on the four corners of the classroom. Learning is everywhere.
Currently, one of the trending topics on social media platforms is the proposed “No Homework” policy among students.
Last August 26, 2019, Quezon City Rep. Alfred Vargas filed a bill seeking to prohibit homework during weekends. House Deputy Speaker Evelina Escudero, meanwhile, sought a nohomework policy for kinder to grade 12 students.
Vargas’ bill would impose a fine of P50,000 or imprisonment of one to two years on teachers who would violate the no-homework policy.
Education Secretary Leonor Briones said she backs the proposed measures because students lose time for rest and bonding with family and friends due to homework, which is sometimes completed by tutors or parents.
Briones also said she has approved a policy discouraging homework.
As a teacher myself, I can say on behalf of Department of Education Faculty, we don’t need to be in jail because we have been in prison long ago. We are indeed prisoners. We don’t need to pay the fine because from the very start, we are paying the Philippines.
Where would we be?
If we, teachers, did not finish the paperwork in school, we will not bring it home, we will just leave it on our tables and we will do it the next day. Moreover, we will not bring heavy stuffs that are difficult to carry. We will just finish our class as scheduled, we will not implement home visitation, because we could not even fix our own home. There will be no need to call parents to come to school since they have ample quality time to bond with each other. Therefore, do not ask us for innovations, remediation, researches, and all. We also have a family that is waiting.
The tasks that were not finished in school will not be continued because it would take 100 years to meet all the competencies set in the curriculum guide which states that we should teach at least 3 skills a day. Take note, sometimes its 4 and the most is 5.
Why do you always break your rules? As I remember, there are insufficient books, modules and learning kits and we are not allowed to collect money for it. The books were rotten at the office and warehouse that was funded by the Filipinos.
There is no change in our things, our expenses. That’s why the Philippines is not developing. We, teachers, at the bottom used to quantify your achievements that we almost die for it. Yours is the credit and the calvary is ours.
As I browse the social media I read the post of the secretary of Foreign Affairs,
Teddy Locsin Jr.
“The purpose is to put all the burden and responsibility for academic performance on teachers where it belongs. They’re paid well for it. Most students have no home to do homework in. Morons. Go Grace, go Briones. Ignore the fucking morons against it.”
What an idiotic post! What do you know about homework if you are not a teacher yourself? If he were a teacher he could probably sympathize with the sentiments of the teachers.
On the other hand, according to the late Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago “… young people of the Philippines, do not allow your classrooms to pamper you with no assignment policy; instead, seek to endure difficulties in doing your homework so that you’ll learn to be tough in facing whatever challenges your future hold…”
She is Asia’s Iron Lady because of her strong personality and determination to fight for corruption when she was still alive.
If we are to make our kids grow into globally competitive individuals, they need to develop the skills to cope with pressure where there is abundance of it in the real world. One way is to train them through making assignments which they have an option to do at home or school during their free time. Besides, more free time at home these days may just lead to more screen time.
The bills that were proposed these days were always to protect the child. That is why maybe the generation now is getting worse and worse. They are not allowed to be scolded and to be punished for their wrongdoings. There is no discipline. This generation has abused its freedom. This generation is supposed to be the “hope of our nation” as Jose Rizal was quoted. We should be responsible individuals of the land. The assignment thing is just a small task compared to the tasks this world will give you later in life. Assignment is indeed beneficial.
Here are some of the reasons why assignment is necessary:
1. The students learn to do and learn at their own pace (work and learn independently) and impose self-discipline.
2. Knowledge, idea and concept can be broaden by doing an assignment.
3. It serves as a preparation for the upcoming lesson or serves as a review for exam.
4. It molds the ability of the students in managing their time. Multiple assignments at one time make students better time managers. They learn to manage the schedule as well as prioritize tasks.
5. The students discover new knowledge that is greater than what the teacher has taught inside the classroom.
6. The students can use different resources to gather information like library, reference materials, internet, and many more.
7. The students were given the opportunity to initiate and become responsible to finish a task.
8. The students can connect prior knowledge to real life situation.
9. It enables parents to have sufficient knowledge to academic issues of their children. This is a good opportunity for the parents to see the learning progress of their children. It could also serve as their bonding time.
10. It serves as a way for students to be creative, strategic and practical.
So, the advantages are endless and the possibilities are many, if one really thinks about it. But the problem is that students don’t like assignments. They want to enjoy their life to the fullest, which, if they think about it, they can do it on their own if they manage their time well. (Paid article)