Most students nowadays are often stressed out, and one of the biggest factor that causes this is the heavy load work given from school. Students wake up as early as 4:00 In the morning to prevent tardiness, endures 10 hours of classes beginning from 7:00 in the morning to 4:00 in the afternoon, and staying up late. As much as it is overwhelming, students are still being given homework during the weekends. Because of this students have become sleep deprived, depressed, tired, and can’t even spend quality time with their families.

According to the Research commissioned by UniHealth, the UK’s first health and well being messaging platform for students has just revealed some distressing statistics:

“The new report, based on a survey of over 1000 first and second year university students revealed that 82% of students at UK universities suffer from stress and anxiety and 45% have experienced depression. More worrying still, 1 in 5 students have suicidal feelings. Yet only 25% of students experiencing this said they would seek help - the other three quarters admitted being too embarrassed, think it’s waste of time, or don’t even know where to find help.”

The research was based from British students alone, how about the statistics from the students here in the Philippines? It could even have bigger numbers compared to the statements above.

The DepEd created a solution to this back in 2010, the DepEd memorandum no. 392:

4. Therefore, no homework/assignment 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.

However, there is a catch; this memorandum is only applicable to public schools. We, proponents of this petition who came from a private school felt that it is a biased law, because even though we have different curriculums, different environment, and different quality of education we still both have a common feeling of restlessness.

We seek to eliminate the inequality due to caste systems and yet the public and private schools do not receive the same privilege. Yes, being able to study in a private school is already a great privilege and perhaps it is already a good enough reason to not complain but still, we are also human beings who gets tired, who faces anxieties, and who craves rest.

To our dear DepEd and to the different administrations of private schools, we petition to be also given the benefit of not having homework during weekends to be able to heal, enjoy our time with our families, reduce the risks of mental illness, and have enough rest. Please also help us be able to enjoy our youth.