Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTA’
. ‘Quezon City
18™ CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bil No,_3611

Introduced by REP. EVELINA G. ESCUDERO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

It has become common to see schoolchildren carry and lift heavy bags to-and-from
schools. Accordingly, this phenomenon needs to be reexamined in light of recent intemational
researches! showing the positive correlation between carrying of heavy school bags and bad
posture which eventually lead to fatigue, spinal diseases and related afflictions among students.

Schoolchildren carry heavy bags as they feel compelled to bring home all their books
and activity kits because of the daily homework given by their respective subject teachers. The
giving of homework assignments to conclude a lesson is a hallmark of Philippine pedagogy
Which also needs to be seriously assessed.

Moreover, homework assignments can deprive students and parents precious quality
time for rest, relaxation and interaction after school hours and even on weekends.

This Bill, which seeks the elimination of homework assignments and prohibiting the
taking of textbooks out of the school, will not only lighten the physical burden ‘of schoolchildren
‘and promote quality family interaction but will also compe! schools and teachers to come up
with a more holistic and effective pedagogy.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is eamestly sought.

Medel :

(EVELINA G. ESCUDERO

fea Mota, atiomerou, Reka gu, ions Aw Ema mia Sata, Asin Pate, aad Kane, Dania, Dente Edita
“schooans_and_assoised beck pain Sarajevo, Facuty of Health Sciences, at
femussiaen ee guateneacncunara ‘Rawan Saleem Aighamdl, cn Mohr Na
Patel ErSayed, Saad Motamed Asad,

seein cascalon end Practice. 2018, Vol. 8, NO. “2 Accessed at

ana eer RTS AMROS TPR rat


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
18™ CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 3611

Introduced by REP. EVELINA G. ESCUDERO

AN ACT PROMOTING THE HOLISTIC DEVELOPMENT OF BASIC EDUCATION
STUDENTS BY ESTABLISHING A NO-HOMEWORK POLICY FOR KINDER TO GRADE
12 AND PROSCRIBING THE TAKING OF TEXTBOOKS OUT OF THE
SCHOOL FOR KINDER TO GRADE 6 STUDENTS IN ALL PUBLIC AND PRIVATE
SCHOOLS

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

ARTICLE |
GENERAL PROVISIONS

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Taking of Textbooks Out
of School and No-Homework Policy of 2019.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policies. - it is hereby declared the policy of the State to
protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels. As such, the
State aims to safeguard the general welfare and interests of school children and protect
them from conditions may adversely affect their health and their right to a balanced life.

SEC. 3. Scope of the Act. - This Act seeks to promote the holistic well-being of
basic education students by assigning homeworks to Kinder to Grade 12 students and the
taking of textbooks out of school for students in Kinder to Grade 6.

SEC. 4. No-homework Assignment. - All basic education schools shall make sure
that their respective teachers shall not give homework assignments to Kinder to Grade 12
students by conducting all lessons and activities in school.

SEC. 5. No Taking of Textbooks Home. - All basic education schools shall ensure
that all Kinder to Grade 6 students shall deposit and leave their textbooks in school and no
textbooks shall be brought home to prevent the adverse effects of carrying heavy bags to-
and-from school.

SEC. Lockers. - All basic education schools shall ensure that each student shall
have a locker or a dedicated space that will serve as safe depository for students’ textbooks.


‘SEC. 8. Appropriation. - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of
this Act shall be included and incorporated in the annual general appropriations of the
Department of Education (DepEd).

SEC. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). - Within ninety (90)
days from the date of effectivity of this Act, the Department of Education (DepEd) shall
promulgate necessary implementing rules and regulations to implement the
provisions of this Act.

SEC. 10. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and
regulations or parts thereof not consistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 11. Separability Ciause. - \f any provision or part of this Act, or the
application thereof to any person or circumstance, is held unconstitutional or invalid,
the remainder of this Act shall not be affected thereby.

SEC. 12. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from

the date of its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2)
newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,