'Give creative homework on weekends'

MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Pia Cayetano proposes a compromise to resolve the controversy over the Department of Education’s (DepEd) advisory to public school teachers against giving pupils homework during weekends.

“One possible middle ground is to encourage ‘light’ and ‘creative’ home assignments on weekends,” she said.

“This could include lessons on the arts and music and other projects that kids can enjoy doing with their parents and siblings at home.”

Cayetano, Senate Committee on Youth, Women and Family Relations chairman, said academic-heavy assignments could just be limited from Mondays to Thursdays.

“This way, the students will get to develop their creative side, hone their skills on music and the arts, even as they continue to learn and enjoy their weekends and bond with their parents at the same time,” she said.

Cayetano said she leaves it up to the classroom teacher to decide the most appropriate teaching methods for their students.

“But I don’t think Memorandum No. 392 is meant to curtail the authority and academic freedom of teachers,” she said.

Cayetano said the memorandum is only meant as a reminder to teachers of the value of balancing time between study, play, and family time, especially for grade school pupils.”

“Teachers’ groups critical of the memorandum also have a point in cautioning that without homework to do on weekends, students might end up bumming or forgetting their lessons altogether,” she said.