Critics argue that the US Department of Education is not responsible for students falling behind in reading and math due to the pandemic. Jon Valant, director of the Brown Center on Education Policy at Brookings Institution, suggests Covid-19 and prolonged school closures are major factors. The department's role is limited to higher-level functions such as funding schools, overseeing financial aid, and protecting civil liberties. Former Secretary of Education Arne Duncan notes that local and state levels make decisions on curriculum, staffing, and programs. However, education equity advocates like Wil Del Pilar worry about the impact of massive cuts on vulnerable students, who may feel effects in months if payments to schools are delayed.
https://www.scrippsnews.com/us-news/education/how-education-department-cuts-could-impact-students-and-schoolsThe Punjab Home Department has recommended including "Good touch, bad touch" awareness in school curriculum to prevent child abuse. A formal letter was issued to the School Education Department, urging parents and teachers to educate children on personal safety and how to report inappropriate behavior. Experts will be consulted to develop educational modules on the subject. An awareness campaign is being prepared by the Child Protection & Welfare Bureau to safeguard children from abuse and exploitation.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1291263-good-touch-bad-touch-awareness-to-be-included-in-school-syllabusPunjab's Secretary for Skills Development and Entrepreneurship, Nadir Chattha, has announced that all skills development institutions will be brought under a single department, with TEVTA, PSDF, and PVTC falling under its purview. The Chief Minister aims to increase international certification courses from 4,000 to 10,000 through the CM Skilled Punjab Initiative program. A new "Moraki" project for hospitality sector training has been introduced, offering 6-month free training in collaboration with British institution CTH. Additionally, a job placement program is underway for skilled youth, while transgender individuals have completed training under the "Pehchan" program, receiving Rs 8,000 per month. The government has also received over 27,000 applications for the "Main Digital" program for rural women and plans to provide free desktop computers along with English and IT training.
https://www.brecorder.com/news/40352665/cm-maryam-to-launch-skills-on-wheel-project-to-train-youthThe Australian government is streamlining university ceremonies to a single week per year, amid concerns over rising executive pay and governance failures. Former Labor leader Bill Shorten warned that universities' social license was at risk due to poor management and communication. Universities Australia argues that debate over vice-chancellor salaries is a distraction from funding issues. The National Tertiary Education Union calls for broader legislation to regulate corporate influence on university senates and councils, citing cases of underpayment scandals and unequal job security. TEQSA chief executive Dr Mary Russell has faced criticism for the agency's handling of antisemitism crises on campus, but claims to have taken action in response.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/professors-hit-back-at-universities-that-are-no-longer-about-education-20250311-p5lird.htmlIn Sindh's prisons, an initiative aims to support prisoners' children through education and vocational training from primary school to university, micro-financing up to Rs500,000 for business start-ups, and monthly assistance of up to Rs12,000. Prof Muhammad Miraj Siddiqui has proposed these programmes. Inmates like Zamir and another inmate expressed joy and relief over their children's access to education, hoping it will prevent them from turning to crime upon release.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1291322-sindh-to-help-children-of-prisoners-get-educationState Minister Wajiha Qamar visited the National Special Education Centre in Islamabad, where she met with Asif Iqbal, director general, to discuss ways to support the Directorate General of Special Education. She emphasized the importance of providing right-based direction and facilities to special children, considering them as "sacred gifts" from Almighty. The government has taken several initiatives for their welfare, according to Qamar.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1291288-state-minister-lauds-initiatives-of-special-education-sectorThe Trump administration's proposed changes to federal funding for schools could impact programs such as the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and Title I, which provides $679.1 million to the NYC Department of Education. Funding for high poverty schools and students with disabilities may remain untouched or be reduced if the administration prioritizes private school vouchers.
https://www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025/03/12/impact-of-trump-education-department-cuts-on-nyc-schools/Donald Trump has proposed targeting schools for discrimination based on race through civil rights cases, labeling diversity and equity policies as "explicit unlawful discrimination". He plans to impose fines and tax endowments on colleges that implement such policies. Additionally, Trump aims to exclude transgender students from Title IX protections, which originally protected women's rights in 1972.
https://whyy.org/articles/trump-dismantle-education-department-explainer/The US Department of Education experienced an hours-long outage on its website, StudentAid.gov, due to large-scale layoffs, causing technical issues and disruptions to the FAFSA form, which is required for financial aid at colleges nationwide. The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators reported users experiencing problems completing the form, with hundreds reporting outages on Downdetector starting midday Wednesday.
https://www.boston25news.com/news/federal-student-loan/2WEMXDQVOFD5DCNTBZ65SRVRFU/