The Trump administration has issued an order prohibiting the use of federal funds for K-12 schools that promote "indoctrination" of children, specifically targeting critical race theory and radical gender ideology. The order cites examples such as a policy in Virginia's Harrisonburg City Public Schools requiring teachers to use students' preferred names and pronouns, and another in Wisconsin's Madison Metropolitan School District encouraging students to embrace different gender identities. The Education Department's Office for Civil Rights will investigate allegations of civil rights violations and can impose penalties including the loss of federal funding. The American Federation of Teachers has criticized the order as unfairly targeting teachers and making it harder for them to do their jobs, with President Randi Weingarten calling it a "sad day" that creates division and fear in classrooms.
https://www.voanews.com/a/trump-s-orders-take-aim-at-critical-race-theory-antisemitism-on-college-campuses/7957336.htmlThe report "Miseducation: The Failed System of Philippine Education" by Edcom 2 highlights the long-standing issues in the Philippines' education system, including underinvestment, disjointed governance and inequitable access to quality education. The report suggests that these problems have persisted for decades despite efforts to address them.
https://www.manilatimes.net/2025/01/31/opinion/columns/fixing-the-miseducation-a-matter-of-survival/2047326Tennessee Governor Bill Lee's school voucher bill is moving forward in the state legislature, aiming to provide vouchers for all students, not just those from disadvantaged backgrounds. This comes as part of a broader trend in education policy, with President Trump issuing an executive order to prioritize private school choice programs and allow states to tap federal money for vouchers. In other news, Chicago Public Schools is expanding its "Hub Stop" program, which provides transportation to magnet and selective enrollment students, by adding 18 new campuses. Additionally, a bill has been proposed in Colorado to limit cell phone use in classrooms, with lawmakers seeking to require school boards to determine how to implement this policy.
https://www.chalkbeat.org/2025/01/30/trump-private-school-choice-executive-order-steers-federal-money-to-vouchers/Tennessee lawmakers have proposed a plan called the Education Freedom Act that would allow families to use public tax dollars to pay for alternatives to public education for their children. The program is expected to grow by 5,000 students annually and remove income restrictions for eligibility. About 65% of the vouchers are expected to go to students already attending private schools, while 35% will be awarded to students switching out of public schools. If passed, Tennessee would join a dozen other states with similar programs. The plan also includes provisions to give teachers one-time bonuses and establish a fund for public school infrastructure using tax revenues from the sports betting industry.
https://www.chalkbeat.org/tennessee/2025/01/30/universal-school-voucher-bill-passes-legislature-gov-bill-lee/Former ministers Ambati Rambabu, V. Srinivas, and Jogi Ramesh, along with MLC Lella Appireddy and other YSRCP leaders, released a poster announcing protests on February 5 to pressure the government into releasing pending funds for the fee reimbursement scheme, 'Fees Poru'. The government is accused of withholding ₹3,900 crore in funds, leaving students struggling to obtain their certificates. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu is specifically targeted for allegedly making false promises and neglecting student welfare, while Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy's education sector reforms are highlighted as a contrast to the current government's actions.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/ysrcp-releases-poster-on-fees-poru-protest-planned-on-february-5/article69159576.eceChina's Ministry of Education is pushing to make physical education a core part of the curriculum in primary and secondary schools, rather than a secondary subject. This move is aimed at promoting a more holistic approach to education, integrating physical fitness with academic development. The measures include mandating students to have at least two hours of physical activity daily, recruiting retired athletes and military veterans as physical education teachers, and providing equal compensation for physical education teachers compared to their peers in other subjects. The initiative comes amid growing concerns about childhood obesity, which has accelerated since 2019 due to decreased physical activity during COVID lockdowns and poor eating habits. According to the National Health Commission, obesity is now a major public health issue in China, ranking as the sixth leading risk factor for death and disability in the country.
Universities in Kenya are being urged to update their curricula to align with the demands of the job market. This is because many students and universities remain tied to outdated program structures, according to Bosco Marita, a news article published on NewsGlovo. To address this issue, Glovo has launched a one-year training scheme targeting Kenyan youths in various sectors within the company. The initiative aims to equip graduates with the skills and knowledge currently in demand by the job market.
https://www.the-star.co.ke/business/2025-01-29-it-skills-most-needed-in-job-market-clerical-ones-wane-global-reportThe Education Bureau in Hong Kong reported a significant increase in the number of deregistered teachers, with 71 cases in 2024, up from 47 in 2023 and 21 in 2022. The surge was attributed to regular government checks on educators' criminal records every three years. The bureau emphasized its "zero tolerance" policy towards teachers who fail to meet ethical and moral standards, citing the need to maintain professional conduct among educators.
https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3296666/71-teachers-deregistered-2024-misconduct-such-love-affairs-pupils?module=top_story&pgtype=sectionPresident Donald Trump is expected to sign an executive order on Wednesday supporting school choice programs, which directs the federal government to prioritize funding for such initiatives and requires various departments to issue guidance on how states can use federal dollars to support alternative education options. The move aims to give parents more control over their children's education and provide opportunities for students to attend schools that best fit their needs. This action reflects Trump's campaign promise of universal school choice, parental rights, and a state-led education system.
https://www.scrippsnews.com/politics/president-trumps-first-100-days/trump-to-sign-order-prioritizing-federal-funds-for-school-choice-programs