The Islamabad administration has announced that all public and private educational institutions will remain closed tomorrow due to the law and order situation. The Rawalpindi deputy commissioner also confirmed that education centres would stay closed, citing disruptions in academic activities caused by sit-ins led by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). Abrar Ahmed Khan, president of the All Pakistan Private Schools Management Association North Punjab, criticized the disruption to students' academic schedules and urged the education boards to review the matriculation exam schedule. The exams are set to begin on March 4, but winter vacations will be observed from December 20 to January 10, leaving students with insufficient time to complete their regular studies.
https://www.geo.tv/latest/576269-educational-institutions-closure-extended-till-tomorrow-in-islamabad-pindiBrian Stampe of Commonwealth Concepts noted that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) face challenges in finding cost-effective training programs, particularly for specialized or niche skills. He highlighted four key pain points SMEs experience when it comes to training their workers, including the need to elevate the cost of training, a lack of clarity on which areas to focus on, an overwhelming number of available courses, and the necessity to invest in training due to industry demands.
https://channelnewsasia.com/podcasts/sme-upskilling-staff-job-training-skillsfuture-money-talks-podcast-4768461A 17-year-old student at Condell Park High School in New South Wales has been allowed to attend his school formal this week, but on the condition that he does not wear a keffiyeh-patterned scarf and drops claims against the school. The student had been banned from attending the formal after wearing the scarf to his graduation ceremony, sparking a pro-Palestine rally outside the school in support of him. NSW Education Department secretary Murat Dizdar has offered to personally meet with the student and is working towards a resolution that will allow all students to attend the formal.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/rally-at-sydney-high-school-after-student-s-formal-ban-20241126-p5ktq8.htmlThe Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has relaxed certain restrictions on schools and colleges in Delhi and surrounding districts, including Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Buddh Nagar, to allow hybrid learning. This decision aims to balance the need for students to attend classes with environmental health concerns due to poor air quality during the winter months. Specifically, Clause 11 of GRAP Stage-III and Clauses 5 and 8 of GRAP Stage-IV have been relaxed, permitting schools and colleges to adopt a hybrid learning model that allows students to choose between online or in-person education. This decision is particularly aimed at supporting students in Classes 10 and 12 who require physical attendance for practicals and extra tutorials due to upcoming board and competitive exams.
https://www.ndtv.com/education/schools-colleges-in-delhi-ncr-to-operate-in-hybrid-mode-amid-grap-relaxations-after-supreme-court-order-7104891#pfrom=home-ndtv_mainnavigationThe Delhi government has directed all schools in the National Capital Region (NCR) to conduct classes in a "hybrid mode" - both online and offline - with immediate effect. This decision comes after the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) announced relaxations under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to mitigate educational disruptions caused by poor air quality. The move is a response to the Supreme Court's observations on Monday, which noted that many students lacked mid-day meals and infrastructure to attend online classes.
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/delhi-schools-asked-to-move-to-hybrid-mode-after-supreme-court-observations-7105038#pfrom=home-ndtv_topscrollDemand for entry-level talent in India's tech sector surged by 59% in the second quarter of this fiscal year, with companies such as Great Learning seeing a 43% increase in job postings on its career support platform. The demand is particularly strong in sectors like IT/ITES, BFSI, data analytics and consulting, driven by the growth of global capability centres (GCCs) that require fresh talent with skills in areas like data analytics, machine learning and cloud technologies. According to Great Learning's Co-founder Hari Krishnan Nair, job seekers must prioritize acquiring these in-demand skills to stay competitive in the market.
https://www.lokmattimes.com/technology/demand-for-entry-level-talent-surges-59-pc-in-indias-tech-sector-1/The Punjab region in Pakistan is experiencing a decline in smog levels, allowing authorities in Lahore and Multan to reopen schools after a week-long closure due to hazardous pollution levels. However, students will still be required to wear face masks and outdoor sports at educational institutes remain suspended. The prolonged exposure to toxic air has severe health consequences, including strokes, heart disease, lung cancer, and respiratory diseases, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). A study by the University of Chicago found that high levels of pollution in Lahore have reduced life expectancy by 7.5 years. Experts believe that modernizing car fleets, reviewing farming methods, and transitioning to renewable energies are key solutions to address the smog issue affecting millions of people in Pakistan and India each year.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1254776-lahore-remains-pakistans-most-polluted-city-despite-drop-in-aqiThe Supreme Court has urged Delhi authorities to consider restarting physical classes in schools and colleges, citing concerns that many students lack access to mid-day meals and infrastructure to attend online classes. The court noted that a large number of students do not have air purifiers at home, making it difficult for them to learn effectively from home. However, the court refused to relax anti-pollution restrictions in Delhi-NCR, but directed state governments to use funds collected as labour cess to support daily wagers and laborers affected by the restrictions.
https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/sc-urges-delhi-to-consider-restarting-physical-classes-in-schools-1841144The Haryana government has suspended all physical classes for students up to Class 12 in Gurugram's government and private schools until November 25, 2024, due to poor air quality. The decision was made by the Directorate of Secondary Education, Haryana, with the aim of prioritizing children's health and safety. Online classes will continue as usual to ensure uninterrupted learning. This move comes after a review of the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Gurugram, which has been experiencing severe levels of air pollution. The decision was made by the deputy commissioner, who cited the need to extend an earlier order suspending physical classes for students up to Class 12 in both rural and urban areas of Gurugram.
https://www.ndtv.com/education/gurugram-suspends-physical-classes-amid-severe-air-pollution-till-november-25-7095684#pfrom=home-ndtv_mainnavigation