The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has directed the Regional Tax Office (RTO) Gujranwala to review its withholding regime for teachers and school staff performing supervisory, invigilation, and paper marking duties. The FBR order states that these services are integral to the education system and should be subject to tax withholding under Section 149 of the Federal Tax Ordinance. Schools and colleges are required to share lists of their teachers and staff involved in these assignments, with refusal considered non-compliance. Teachers' remuneration rates are fixed by Education Boards, which include school secretaries as ex-officio members. The amounts paid for these services are nominal due to rotation of staff throughout the year.
https://www.brecorder.com/news/40351101/supervisory-invigilation-duties-fto-asks-fbr-to-insulate-teachers-from-paying-wt-under-sec-153Labour MP Dr Rupa Huq is urging her party to reconsider its decision to impose 20% VAT on private school fees, calling it "punishing" for working people. She suggests that the tax should be based on the school's turnover rather than a blanket charge, citing concerns about smaller institutions being disproportionately affected.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14457849/Bridget-Phillipson-pressure-scrap-VAT-raid-private-school-fees-Labour-MP-calls-U-turn.htmlDr. Ghulam Ali Mallah, Executive Director of the IBCC, highlighted the significance of technology-driven solutions in improving efficiency and transparency in education verification. The integration of all educational boards into a digital system is a notable achievement that will benefit students and institutions by reducing processing times and ensuring authenticity. This development brings the IBCC closer to its goal of a fully digitized education verification system, which aims to facilitate seamless coordination between educational boards and provide students with a hassle-free experience.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1288492-ibcc-expands-digital-verification-initiative-with-new-mousICF, a global consulting and technology services provider led by CEO John Wasson, will participate in a fireside chat at the 2025 Cantor Fitzgerald Global Technology Conference on March 11, with Senior Vice President David Birken also attending. The event will be live webcast and later replayed for 90 days.
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/icf-to-present-at-the-2025-cantor-fitzgerald-global-technology-conference-302392061.htmlThe Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) has postponed the registration for its Aptitude Test (IAT) to March 10, 2025, from the original date of March 5, 2025. The application deadline is now April 15, 2025, with a correction period from April 21-22, 2025. Admit cards will be released on May 15, 2025, and the exam will take place on May 25, 2025, in a computer-based test mode at various centers across India. Eligibility criteria require candidates to have passed Class 12 with science stream from recognized boards, and specific requirements apply for certain programs at IISER Kolkata, Bhopal, and Tirupati.
https://www.ndtv.com/education/iat-2025-registrations-for-iiser-aptitude-test-postponed-check-new-date-here-7842239#pfrom=home-ndtv_mainnavigationThe Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay has launched an e-Postgraduate Diploma in Interaction Design, a 36-credit program that can be completed within three years. The Industrial Design Centre (IDC), School of Design at IIT Bombay, offers the course in two formats: in-person and online. Participants learn hands-on processes and techniques essential to interaction design through eight prescribed courses, including Design of Interactive Products, Human Factors in Interaction Design, and Game Design. To earn the diploma, professionals must complete 36 credits by taking these courses within a flexible timeframe.
https://www.ndtv.com/education/iit-bombay-invites-applications-for-e-postgraduate-diploma-in-interaction-design-7846623#pfrom=home-ndtv_mainnavigationThe Indian government has launched several initiatives for women's empowerment. The Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandhana Yojna provides a cash incentive of Rs 5,000 to pregnant women and lactating mothers who have their first child, subject to certain conditions. The Kishori Shakti Yojna aims to improve the nutritional and health status of girls aged 11-18 through training and skill development. Additionally, the PMMY (Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana) offers collateral-free loans up to Rs 20 lakhs for small business owners. To address domestic violence, mediation services are provided by Prohibition cum Protection Officers. The government also supports International Women's Day, which is celebrated on March 8th and aims to promote gender equality and end biases against women.
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/international-womens-day-2025-government-women-empowerment-schemes-in-india-7848766Indonesia faces challenges in implementing allowances for lecturers, including payment delays and unequal treatment between ministries. The country's basic salaries are lower compared to Australia, Singapore, and Japan, where they are significantly higher. The government aims to improve the welfare of educators, which aligns with President Prabowo Subianto's Astacita mission, prioritizing their well-being as unsung heroes in the education sector.
https://en.antaranews.com/news/347033/performance-allowance-for-lecturers-improves-education-quality-mpr?utm_source=antaranews&utm_medium=desktop&utm_campaign=top_newsIndonesia's schools will have a revised schedule during Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr holidays in 2025. The new schedule includes an early holiday before Ramadan, independent study periods, school days during Ramadan, and a separate Eid al-Fitr holiday for Hijriah schools. The changes are set to take place from February 27-28, 2025, to April 9, 2025.
https://en.tempo.co/read/1982251/minister-says-there-are-changes-to-ramadan-holidays-check-out-the-latest-schedule