The newest initiative launched by the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth (MAS) “We do the homework” assists and enables children to advance in their knowledge. The project allows learners to do their homework and lessons within the school premises in the afternoon. It is established to aid learners who cannot finish homework at home thus being left behind from their peers.
The launch will be piloted in 20 elementary schools by the country’s major Regional Education Directorates this academic year such as Tirana, Elbasan, Lezhe, Fier and Korce.
Prime Minister Edi Rama paid a visit at “Beselidhja” elementary school in Lezhe along with Minister of Education Lindita Nikolla to inspect closely the initiative’s implementation.
Minister of Education Nikolla said that learners’ progress will be monitored and achievements in each subject will be assessed to afterwards expand the project across all schools in Albania while provided explanations on the initiative. “After school learners prepare the homework under the auspices of teachers. We will consider children’s progress. They have been tested in advance to this project and in June we will see the progress and achievements in every subject to later expand across all schools in Albania.”
The project also aims to sustain social, physical and intellectual skills of students through their active participation in extracurricular activities following the learning process. Teachers say that daily attendance is hitherto regular, while learners are interested as besides learning they also entertain. “Attendance is frequent. Even the ‘three subjects in six classes’ new system, including one or two subjects not many, gives time to prepare in the afternoon following the amusement. Despite homework we also have entertainment classes.”
The launch is welcomed by the children as well as teachers and parents, who in rare occasions have the possibility to assist children at home while doing the homework. In this regard one of the teachers says that “since the moment the project was launched we have been willing to become integral part. It is welcomed by parents but the most important of all by children themselves. It is showcased by the increasingly large number of children to attend each afternoon preparation classes. Children are calm and head home relaxed.
Minister Nikolla said that this project implementation will responsibly pass from family to school strengthening its education role. “We have informed parents, in advance. It was their will and choice to make their children part of ‘We do the homework” programme. The programme is of great assistance to the children and abolishes inequalities between them, which also offers assistance to children whose parents cannot. It is a step forward to overcome quality and preparation burden as well as anything else, from family to school, where actually is the place and the responsibility.”
Pupils themselves find the initiative worthy, being aware of spending more time at school which is better than wasting it. “I personally like it, considering that the programme is implemented abroad hence it will offer us help. It is a known fact that most children’s parents work until late thus enabling them to consult and do homework if previously waited parents to come home and wasted their free time with friends or at the arcade games. It also assists pupils facing learning difficulties to progress,” one of the children says.
