CEBU CITY, Cebu, Philippines (PNA) — Teachers should not give “tedious and irrelevant” homework to their pupils, Department of Education (DepEd) 7 Assistant Director Carmelita Dulangon said, while asking pupils to always review their notes at home, so they will remember their previous lessons the next day.

DepEd Sec. Armin Luistro issued a memorandum last year prohibiting grade school teachers from giving weekend homework to their pupils so that the latter have time to play. “Study and rest are important for children’s growth. All principles of learning say there should always be a combination of work and play,” Luistro said in one of his visits to Cebu City last year.

Soldiers participate in Brigada Eskwela

ROXAS CITY, Capiz (PIA) — The Department of Education here is lauding the participation of the Philippine Army (PA)’s 3rd Infantry Division in the preparation of activities for the opening of classes last June 6. Capiz Schools Division Superintendent Eveleth Gamboa said the participation of the PA soldiers helped in making schools here physically ready for the school opening.

Said soldiers were able to assist 61 elementary and secondary schools in Capiz province during Brigada Eskwela drive. The PA’s 301st Infantry Brigade Commander Col. Caesar Ronnie Ordoyo said their involvement with Brigada Eskwela is in line with their Internal Peace and Security Plan “Bayanihan.”

More teachers proficient in English

BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occ. (PIA) — Some 20 public school teachers from the Division of San Carlos City comprised the first batch that completed the English Language Proficiency (ELP) training course of the Negros Occidental Language and Information Technology Center (NOLITC) recently.

The ELP for public school teachers is a priority program of the NEGROS FIRST Development Agenda of the provincial government aimed at upgrading the English communication skills of public school teachers in the province.

Iron-fortified rice is good

NEGROS OCC. (PIA) — National Food Authority provincial manager Pablito Gemarino is asking Negrenses anew to try the NFA’s iron-fortified to supplement their daily nutrition needs, especially those of their school children. Since iron rice is new, he said the public has yet to fully embrace its benefits although the NFA is ready to supply orders.

So far, some 1,700 bags of such rice have already been sold in markets here and no complaints about the product have yet been received. “We have a ready machine at our office and iron mix where we can respond to demands in the province,” Gemarino said.

No smoking in Maasin Port

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte (PIA) — The vicinity inside the walled area that is the Port of Maasin has been declared smoke-free and those in violation of this rule will pay stiff penalties. This was declared by Maasin City Mayor Maloney Samaco after his signing of the certificate of assumption for the turn-over of cargo handling operations from the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) to Panaon Arrastre Services, Inc.

(PASI) held at the PPA office here recently. “Maasin Port is smoke-free,” the mayor said as cited statistics figures indicating that “only 10% of the population here smokes and that 90% are unwilling victims of second-hand smoke which is just as harmful.”