Beaufort-Delta education council makes it mandatory
Jorge Barrera
Northern News Services
Holman (Nov 06/00) - Grade 10 student Joseph Kitekudlak would like to have at least one day a week when he doesn't have to do homework.
But under a new Beaufort-Delta education council policy he'll only get his day off on holidays.
The education council recently passed a policy requiring teachers to give students homework every day.
"I don't like getting homework on weekends," said Kitekudlak, who attends Helen Kalvak Elihakvik school, "but it keeps me ahead with the class."
Kitekudlak spends around two hours every evening on assignments from his classes.
Education council director James Anderson says homework assignments are not just about doing work but about getting parents involved in student's school work.
"For some students in (the lower grades) the assignments could mean simply that a parent read to them," said Anderson.
"Parents will know students are assigned homework every day over and above school work."
Most principals agree with the policy and despite the added work helps students at the end of the day.
"It enhances students' performances and helps them improve," said Moses Graba, principal of Inualthuyak school in Sachs Harbour.
The homework policy is not new to some schools.
Janie Jones, principal of Mangialuk School in Tuktoyaktuk, said her school had a similar policy and is now trying to fashion it in accordance with council's policy.
"I think it's wonderful," said Jones. "(This month) we have a staff meeting to establish what to revise."
The policy is unique to the Beaufort-Delta.
"We are looking at a softer approach," said Jim Cole, South Slave education council supervisor of schools.
"Kids and parents don't do enough homework activities and we're looking at ways to get them more involved," said Cole.
Nolan Swartzentruber, director of the Deh Cho education divisional council, says his board is looking at other avenues to promote homework.
"We have family reading times at some schools and after-school study halls," he said. "These kinds of initiatives are as good as mandatory policies."
For now, Kitekudlak will keep doing his homework.
"It's a little much sometimes," he said, "but I think it is helping me learn better."
