MANILA, Philippines — Congress and government should first focus on fixing the country’s education system before punishing teachers for giving homework to students, ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro said Thursday.
In a press conference, the Makabayan bloc lawmaker said assigning take-home activities to students could serve as a measure to improve students’ learning since schools are usually plagued with various issues like lack of textbooks and other resources.
“Ang gusto lang natin dito, sana ‘wag naman i-ban, part ito ng academic freedom na kung saan ‘yung pagbibigay ng assignment ay pwedeng maraming dahilan. It could be remediation, enrichment, activity patungo sa next lesson, magandang bonding din ito with parents… makikita din ‘yung responsibility dito,” Castro said.
“Pwede namang mawala rin ‘yung homework kung maayos na ‘yung ating educational system,” she added.
Castro also reminded legislators to consider reviewing the K-12 program, claiming it burdens teachers with additional clerical work that forces them to give homework.
While the party-list representative said she is open to tackling bills proposing a no-homework policy, she noted that unfair working conditions of teachers should also be addressed.
In a separate statement on Wednesday, Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman said teachers should also be spared of excessive reports and homework.
READ: ‘Teachers should be spared of excessive reports, homework, too’ – solon
Sorsogon 1st District Rep. Evelina Escudero has filed House Bill No. 3611 proposing a no-homework policy from kindergarten to high school while Quezon City 5th District Rep. Alfred Vargas and Senator Grace Poe both filed bills that seek to ban weekend homework only.
Unlike Escudero’s proposal, Vargas’ bill would impose a P50,000 fine or imprisonment of one to two years against teachers who would violate the policy.
READ: No-homework bills filed
Education Secretary Leonor Briones earlier said she supports the proposed laws.
“Meron tayong policy na dini-discourage natin ang homework dahil alam naman natin na minsan ang homework, hindi naman ang bata ang gumagawa pagdating sa bahay. At nawawalan paminsan ng panahon ang bata, ang parents, ang mga lola na mag-bond,” she reasoned.
READ: Briones supports no homework policy from kindergarten to high school
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