PASIG CITY, August 28, 2019 – With its issuance of the “Guidelines on Giving Homework or Assignment to All Public

Elementary School Pupils,” otherwise known as DepEd Memorandum No. 392, series 2010, the Department of
Education (DepEd) reiterates its commitment to the holistic development of learners inside and outside the
classroom.
The said issuance aims to enable learners to have more quality time with their parents, family, and friends by limiting
the homework/assignment to a reasonable quantity on school days and by eliminating the same during weekends.
It is in this regard that the Department supports the no-homework policy proposed by legislators from the House of
Representatives. By ensuring that they complete all assignments and projects in school, the no-homework policy
enables our learners to find balance between their academic development and personal growth by having ample
time for enjoyable activities with family.
The Department will further study the other provisions of the bills to determine the repercussions on the current
teaching and learning process.
DepEd supports proposed no-homework policy
MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Education (DepEd) has expressed its support for the no-homework policy
bills proposed by lawmakers at the House of Representatives.
DepEd, in a statement released on Wednesday, August 28, said the measures would “enable learners to have more
quality time with their parents, family, and friends by limiting the homework [and] assignment to a reasonable
quantity on school days and by eliminating the same during weekends.”
It said the policy would allow students to “find balance between their academic development and personal growth
by having ample time for enjoyable activities with family.”
House Deputy Speaker Evelina Escudero and Quezon City Representative Alfred Vargas filed separate bills in August.
Escudero filed House Bill (HB) No. 3611, which seeks to remove homework as a requirement and have Kinder to
Grade 12 students do academic activities solely within school premises.
“Homework assignments can deprive students and parents [of] precious quality time for rest, relaxation, and
interaction after schools hours and even on weekend,” the bill’s explanatory note reads.
The bill also seeks to prohibit students from taking textbooks home in order to “lighten the physical burden of
schoolchildren,” who, Escudero said, often have to carry heavy bags due to schoolwork that has to be done beyond
the school. This will apply to Kinder to Grade 6 students.
Vargas filed HB No. 3883, which seeks to eliminate homework on weekends for all elementary and high school
students.
This is so that students can “enjoy their free time from the precisions of school during weekends and to be able to
have a quality time with their family and friends.”
Vargas, in his proposal, also cited a 2018 study that featured discussions on a similar policy in a public school in
Western Cape province in South Africa. Vargas said scholars in South Africa had argued “that homework is a burden
for children and parents,” has caused the decline of family time, and even undermines learning interest.
HB 3883 seeks to “promote and protect the physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being of the
youth.”
While DepEd welcomed the proposals, teachers groups have slammed the proposed measures.
The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) in a statement told Congress to instead focus on reviewing the K to 12
curriculum.
“We are not issuing homework to burden our students. It is demanded of us by the K to 12 program, so much [so]
that our performance evaluation system ensures its implementation,” said ACT national chairperson Joselyn
Martinez.
Teacher’s Dignity Coalition said: “Our teachers are trained educators. We know the value of homework. It’s about
discipline, responsibility, and continuity of learning.”