Evening Press leader

Caring, responsible parents have helped their children with homework for generations.

That will continue as long as schools and homework continue to exist.

So the Government's announcement today of measures to equip parents with practical tips so they can lend a hand would, on the face of it, seem to be a useful, considerate move.

Leaflets offering hints on how to help with maths as well as a new website putting parents in touch with schools, were being unveiled by Education Secretary David Blunkett.

It could be said, though, that instead of shifting the weight away from schools and onto parents, the Government should get its priorities right. It ought to be doing far more to address the real problems: a shortage of school books, learning materials and computer equipment; the curse of over-sized classes; the state of many school buildings.

While these issues are being dealt with, parents will still be doing their bit.

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