Bravo, DepEd

No homework for all elementary public school pupils! This is according to the DepEd Memorandum No. 392, which states that there will be no assignments to be given to students enrolled in public elementary schools especially on weekends. The memorandum was issued based on the complaints of parents that their children bring home a lot of homework and thus, do not have ample time to play or to bond with other family members.

A few weeks ago, this column also tackled a similar story pertaining to the number, degree of difficulty, and length of schoolwork brought by students at home. I must say, some assignments are really preposterous!

We must be clear on the main purpose why children are asked to do additional school work at home. The intent of making students accomplish homework is to instill self-discipline and to build the character of a generation that will eventually take the helm of leadership in the future. Another reason is to increase the student’s knowledge and skills.

However, there are schools which have seemingly forgotten that their pupils are breathing human beings capable of experiencing tiredness and even burn-out. Teachers of varying subjects load our kids more than they can actually finish or worse, comprehend.

School experience must be pleasant. It must not be abhorred by young people. Rather, it must be embraced by learners the moment they enter the portals of their school’s premises.

My only wish is that after DepEd officials have handed this memorandum from the national level down to the district superintendents, division chiefs, principals and finally to the teachers -- another guideline will follow suit that will address the needs of students enrolled in private academic institutions. Students from private learning institutions are even more overloaded with homework.

Please. Let our children enjoy their childhood. Allow them to rest. Allow them to explore other fields of interest. Give them time to play and to socialize.

How I wish my children were able to enjoy the games I played during my younger days just right after I get home from school.

With no plants to water or animals to feed in FarmVille-- a program in Facebook which has made many internet users become virtually instant farmers—youngsters in the past are easily contented by merely huddling together in a  moon-lit street or by playing classic Pinoy games.

Patintero is an enjoyable game

I can just reminisce how we loved to play Patintero or Tumbang Preso. These games, of course, test a player’s agility. How enjoyable it was to hit a shorter stick with a longer one while playing Siatong. A game played wherein the loser has to take the punishment of shouting Sia-tong for as long as he can while running back to the original starting place. What fun it was to play Taguan (Hide and Seek), too. Undeniably, I learned about our social customs, standards and values of our culture by playing with childhood buddies as much as I learned about Philippine History in the four walls of the classroom.

So, with this new development in the Department of Education, I would like to say bravo, DepEd! Well done! Secretary Armin Luistro.