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Keeping track of homework tasks for Grade 11 and 12 students at Alexandra High School, north of Johannesburg, will no longer be a logistical hassle.

This after the Nelson Mandela Homework Diary Project handed over the much needed educational resource to 244 Grade 11 and 300 more to matric learners at the school.

Speaking to SAnews before the handing over, school principal Zoleka Lebelo said: “The homework diaries will help us in terms of enhancing our communication with parents with regard to the learner’s performance throughout the year.

“This educational resource will also empowering learners with life skills and inspire them with the beautiful quotes of our late former President Nelson Mandela.

“I believe this is going to enhance their self-esteem too, but we are also appealing to get more for our Grade 8 and 10 learners to make learning more exciting at our school.”

The school has 1 800 learners and 62 teachers this academic year:

Zann Hoad of the Mandela Homework Diary Project said: “We spent the whole of last year developing a school homework diary with Madiba’s quotes, original Madiba artwork and fabulous content on how kids can get their school work organised.

“One of the biggest problems for South African learners is that they are not organised. They don’t know how to properly plan for their studies, set deadlines and prioritise their school work.”

Hoad said the educational tool will help learners get their work under control.

She said diaries would take learners through a step-by-step guide on how to record their projects and homework deadlines. It also has study tips and a quiz on how to become a better leader.

On the diary, there is also space for a personal test, which links the learner with career opportunities. It also has Madiba’s inspirational words of wisdom.

“We decided to launch this project at this school, which is one of the oldest high schools in this province. When Madiba came to Gauteng from the Eastern Cape, he first arrived in this township,” said Hoad.

Learner Yolelwa Mbobo said he will use his diary to record his daily homework. He liked that it came with quotes from Madiba.

Grade 11 learner Grace Letsoalo said: “With Madiba’s quotes in the diary, there is no way that I can fail to plan and organise properly my school work.”

Floyd Ngwenya, a Grade 12 learner, said: “This is a great move to prepare us to plan our school work just before we go to tertiary and I’m really excited to be one of the learners who received this diary.”

Most learners in South Africa have never had a homework diary, a tool that many take for granted in getting organised, remembering tasks and meeting deadlines.

Organisation skills are an essential tool for effective learning. Case studies have shown that acquiring a simple set of organisational tools can strongly alter a child’s ability to absorb information, manage projects, meet deadlines, plan and manage time – all essential tools for success in learning, work and life. - SAnews.gov.za