The Global Change Times (GCT) is a non-profit organization that operates a network of 170 schools in remote and deprived areas of Sindh, providing education to over 33,000 students from disadvantaged families. The organization has made significant strides in promoting girls' education, with 46% of its students being female, many of whom go on to become teachers or school principals. GCT's founder has expressed gratitude to donors and philanthropists for their support, which has enabled the organization to establish schools in areas where there was previously no access to schooling. The organization has also challenged two common misconceptions: that local feudal lords would always support the establishment of schools in their villages, and that deprived communities in Sindh discourage girls from getting an education.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1259651-call-for-effective-spending-of-public-education-health-budgetsThe Indonesian government has allocated Rp17.15 trillion to improve education services in 2025 by rehabilitating and renovating 10,440 public and private schools. The funds will be directly transferred to each school through a cash transfer scheme, allowing them to manage the budget independently. This approach aims to empower local workers and source building materials from within their areas, promoting equitable access to quality education.
https://en.antaranews.com/news/337411/house-supports-government-to-immediately-repair-school-infrastructureBondi Public School in eastern suburbs has asked parents to contribute $80,000 to fund an extra teacher, specifically a STEM teacher, in order to reduce class sizes and eliminate composite classrooms. The school's Parents and Citizens' Association made the request to families last week, citing the need for additional support to improve educational outcomes.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/the-public-school-asking-parents-to-pay-80-000-for-an-extra-teacher-20241205-p5kw7r.htmlThe US Education Department faced criticism for its handling of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form, which was delayed this year. The department had previously hired an additional 700 call center workers to assist with the application process after a 5% decrease in freshmen enrollment at U.S. colleges was reported. Despite these efforts, the FAFSA was not available until November, prompting bipartisan criticism from lawmakers who accused the administration of prioritizing student loan cancellation over the form's release. The Senate and House have since passed legislation requiring the Education Department to make the FAFSA available by October 1 in future years.
https://krcgtv.com/news/nation-world/students-can-now-apply-for-federal-college-aid-officials-hope-for-a-smoother-rollout#The Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology (GIKI) has approved a new initiative to grant scholarships to talented students from neighboring countries, including Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Palestine, starting from the academic year 2025. The scholarship scheme will cover a significant portion of tuition fees and other expenses, allowing students to focus on their studies without financial burden. This move is part of GIKI's commitment to fostering international collaboration and providing educational opportunities to students from diverse backgrounds.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1258612-gik-institute-to-launch-new-scholarshipThe Philadelphia Board of Education has allocated an additional $25 million to support the district's new math curriculum, which is part of a broader overhaul aimed at improving student performance after the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds will cover "consumable materials" such as blocks and other tools for all K-12 schools through 2028. Superintendent Tony Watlington reported that early results are promising, with rising test scores and a decline in dropouts among certain student groups.
https://www.chalkbeat.org/philadelphia/2024/12/06/school-board-approves-25-million-for-math-curriculum-tools-elects-new-vp/A working group has recommended prioritizing rural districts in Colorado's match program, which aims to address funding gaps by providing additional support to schools with mill levy override taxes. The program is intended to help level the playing field for schools that have raised local tax rates to fund their budgets. The recommendation was made by a working group established by the Colorado General Assembly, and it suggests that rural districts be given priority in order to address the unique challenges they face in raising revenue due to lower property values and smaller tax bases.
https://www.chalkbeat.org/colorado/2024/12/05/recommendations-to-mill-levy-state-match-program-prioritize-rural-schools/XTX Markets, a company, has committed to donating over £50 million to charitable organizations and British educational institutions to support students from disadvantaged backgrounds in pursuing mathematics degrees, diplomas, and high-level careers. The philanthropic efforts also aim to provide more scholarships for students to obtain doctorates in mathematics. Additionally, the company has pledged to donate over £25 million to support top math talent globally.
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/renaissance-philanthropy-et-xtx-markets-lancent-un-nouveau-fonds-ia-for-math-de-9-millions-de-dollars-302324935.htmlDatuk Seri Fadhlina Binti Haji Abdul Rahman, a representative from Yayasan Didik Negara, stated that the ministry is providing assistance to affected students in the form of stationery and other essential items for the upcoming school year. This support aims to ensure that the needs of these children are met, particularly those who are facing examinations.
https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/12/05/over-7000-students-remain-at-flood-relief-centres-says-fadhlina