GROUP projects are intended to teach teamwork and collaboration, but for many students, they often lead to frustration due to unequal workloads, scheduling conflicts and communication issues. While some believe these assignments prepare students for real-world teamwork, others argue they create unnecessary stress and unfair grading.
Unequal workload distribution remains one of the biggest concerns for students. Some members take on most of the responsibility while others contribute little but receive the same grade.
“It’s frustrating when you put in all the effort, but someone who barely participates gets the same credit,” said Bobe-Jay Evardoloza, a second-year college student at Lapu-Lapu City College. This imbalance often leads to resentment, lower-quality work and increased stress.
Communication issues further complicate group work. Scheduling conflicts, unresponsive members and difficulty reaching a consensus make collaboration challenging.
“Sometimes, it feels like I’m doing all the work alone,” shared Sachieko Zayne Povadora, a high school student at Pusok National High School.
Despite these challenges, some students see the benefits of group work, particularly in fields that require strong collaboration skills.
“In the kitchen, teamwork is everything,” said Nadine Perez, a senior high student at the University of Cebu. “These assignments help us practice working under pressure with different personalities.”
Peer evaluations, often introduced to enhance accountability, remain controversial. Some students hesitate to provide honest feedback to avoid conflict. “Tracking individual contributions would make a huge difference,” Perez.
While teamwork is essential in fields like business, engineering and healthcare, some students argue that individual assignments provide better learning opportunities. “I learn more when I work alone because I have control over everything,” Evardoloza said.
The debate over group projects continues. While they have the potential to foster collaboration, poor implementation can make them more stressful than beneficial. Until schools develop a system that balances teamwork with individual accountability, students will continue to question whether group projects are truly worth the struggle.