QC councilor pushes ‘no homework’ on weekends

NEVER on weekends.

A Quezon City councilor wants a 2010 directive of the Department of Education (DepEd) to also apply  to private schools and discourage them from giving homework to elementary pupils on weekends, saying the two-day period should be used for more ‘’bonding time” between children and their families.

But unlike the DepEd regulation, the ordinance proposed by Councilor Jose Mario Don de Leon of the city’s 3rd District goes to the extent of imposing penalties on schools that, according to him, would hamper the development of the children’s “emotional quotient.”

In the draft measure, De Leon made references to DepEd Memorandum 392 issued in September 2010 by Secretary Armin Luistro.

According to the memo, “it has been observed that parents complain about too many pupils’ homework/assignments, which rob themselves and their children’s quality time to get together in more enjoyable activities.”

Luistro then ordered teachers in public schools to “limit homework/assignments to a reasonable quantity.”

“Therefore, no homework/assignments shall be given during weekends for pupils to enjoy their childhood and spend quality time with their parents without being burdened by the thought of doing lots of homework,” the secretary said.

Now comes De Leon’s view: “In terms of the development of the emotional quotient of an individual and the importance of spending quality time between parent and child, there should be no distinction made between public and private elementary school pupils.”

“The emotional quotient should also be taken into consideration as part of a pupil’s overall development, which is why they should be encouraged to spend quality time bonding with their parents and enjoying their childhood to the fullest during weekends.”

The draft ordinance imposes a fine of P5,000 on private schools that would violate the measure.

“If the offender is a corporation, partnership or association or other juridical party, the penalty shall be imposed upon its officer or officers responsible for the violation without prejudice to the cancellation or revocation of its business permit,” it added. With a report from Inquirer Research