The Tanzanian government has launched the HEET project, a major investment in its higher education sector, with the goal of enhancing education quality and aligning academic programs with labour market demands. Funded by a low-interest World Bank loan, the project aims to develop a skilled workforce and position higher education as a catalyst for economic transformation. The project will strengthen selected universities and institutes through infrastructure development, scholarships, and curriculum enhancement, while promoting transparency and quality within educational institutions. Education Minister Prof Adolf Mkenda emphasized the importance of the project in improving the quality of higher education in Tanzania, urging universities to effectively utilize HEET funds to improve their service delivery and compete with foreign universities.
https://www.thecitizen.co.tz/tanzania/news/national/inside-tanzania-universities-plans-to-bridge-gaps-exposed-by-covid-19-4882588In the Rangwe region, over 570 learners received financial support to cover their school fees. The funds, totaling Sh3.3 million, were raised by Clan members and handed out to secondary school students, as well as a few college and university students. Kowili Education Recovery chairman Kennedy Ogindo advised the recipients to work hard to improve their family's economic situation.
https://www.the-star.co.ke/counties/nyanza/2025-01-08-over-570-learners-in-rangwe-receive-fees-supportThe Conroe Independent School District is considering adopting a Bible-based curriculum called Bluebonnet Learning, which was approved by the Texas State Board of Education last November. The program, set to launch in August 2025, will affect English and language arts instruction for kindergarten through fifth-grade students in public schools that choose to implement it. Community members and students expressed strong opposition to the curriculum during a recent district meeting, citing concerns that it injects religion into education. However, Republican State Board of Education member Audrey Young defended the program, stating that religious texts comprise only 10% of the materials, with the remainder focused on literature. The program is currently being piloted in Temple ISD and Lubbock school districts, and districts that adopt it will receive $60 per student in state funding.
https://www.khou.com/article/news/education/conroe-school-district-weighs-bible-based-curriculum-amid-community-concerns/285-65842fa9-45f1-467e-91e4-5dfe9a884756The Kenyan government has taken steps to address the growing number of students in schools by providing additional learning spaces through an initiative led by KEPSHA, a government agency. This move is expected to benefit over 1.3 million Grade 8 learners who will occupy new classrooms starting this month. The initiative aims to ensure that schools can accommodate the increasing student population and provide a safe and conducive learning environment for all students.
https://www.the-star.co.ke/counties/coast/2025-01-08-schools-in-mombasa-record-high-attendance-rateAccording to a statement by Becker, efforts to control costs at public universities, increased state investments, and federal support for the Pell Grant have made college more affordable and reduced student debt. However, costs remain high for out-of-state public university students and private college students, with some facing annual bills of up to $95,000. Despite this, many institutions offer significant discounts to middle- and lower-income students, such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, which will no longer charge tuition to undergraduates from families earning below $200,000 starting in the fall.
https://www.khou.com/article/news/nation-world/college-tuition-lower-at-many-schools/507-e3e64fbe-d7e3-44f7-8564-39d3b2ef3c20The UAE has launched a campaign to support education in Palestine by sending school bags and supplies to students. The initiative is led by the UAE, with the participation of several organizations including the Emirates Red Crescent, Zayed Charitable & Humanitarian Foundation, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation, and Sharjah Charity International. The campaign aims to alleviate the living burdens on Palestinian families and provide educational opportunities for children, who are seen as a key part of building a better future.
https://www.gulftoday.ae/news/2025/01/08/uae-launches-education-support-campaign-in-gazaVictoria's most expensive private schools, including Geelong Grammar, Penleigh and Essendon Grammar, and Mentone Grammar, will have their federal funding reduced over the next five years due to being "overfunded" by millions of dollars. The list of 299 schools, published for the first time during Senate estimates, includes institutions that have banked excess funds from the Commonwealth since 2024. Education Minister Jason Clare has vowed to transition these schools down to their assessed School Resourcing Standard (SRS) by 2029.
The US Education Department's budget has a significant impact on schools and students, particularly in areas such as providing special equipment and training for students with disabilities, hiring additional teachers to support struggling readers, and offering financial aid to low-income students pursuing higher education. However, the department does not oversee certain educational programs, including those serving students on military bases or Native American reservations, which are instead managed by other government agencies.
https://www.montanarightnow.com/national_news/what-might-happen-if-the-education-department-were-closed/collection_cf895b31-65bd-5310-92da-2a861ee11d97.htmlThe Kenyan government has established a Sh41 million bursary fund for students in Eldas, specifically targeting those from secondary schools, universities, and colleges. This initiative was announced by Cabinet Secretary Kindiki during the inauguration of the Eldas South Subcounty. The move is part of the government's efforts to accelerate development at the grassroots level.
https://www.the-star.co.ke/counties/north-eastern/2025-01-01-eldas-cbo-launched-to-address-challenges-and-unlocking-potential-of-constituency