Official hails homework initiative

SCHOOLS in Southern Highlands and Hela that have given out assignments to students for the four-week Covid-19 lockdown did the right thing, Catholic agency schools secretary Daniel Beli says.
“The assignments will keep them busy and prevent them from getting involved in bad activities,” he said.
Beli told The National that teachers in schools in Mendi and Tari had given out assignments to their students and that the assignments would be checked and marked when school resumed.
“It is an excellent initiative,” he said.
“It would also be good if teachers make plans for catch-up lessons, such as remedial classes or supplement assignments.
“While students are at home, it is the parents’ duty to help them with stationery so they stay focused on their homework.
“Schools in rural areas must have also done the same by implementing a mix of classroom instruction and self-study take home exercises.
“This will help them stay focused on their education.”
He said when students were not given assignments or homework, they joined their peer groups, getting involved in social activities that sometimes created social and community problems.
Beli said there had been massive awareness on the Covid-19 carried out in all schools and students needed to teach the elderly that they should get to the basics of health care – washing hands regularly, sneezing into elbows and observe social distancing.
“It is sad that one of the country’s elected leader has died from Covid-19 and it is now important that educated people must help the illiterates to be safe from being infected by the virus,” he said.