Jamaat-e-Islami Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has stated that the corrupt system of governance in Pakistan has enabled a minority elite class to rule over the country, depriving poor people of their due rights. He alleged that 90% of members of legislative assemblies are trillionaires, while 98% of people are unable to find a way to prosperity. The JI chief lamented that education had been pushed away from the reach of lower and middle economic classes, citing that even though the education budget for Sindh is over Rs481 billion, no PPP leader or official sends their children to public schools. He announced that the JI's Bano Qabil programme will offer free IT courses to one million young people in the next two years and degree courses in the future.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1254668-quality-education-being-pushed-away-from-reach-of-middle-and-lower-classes-ji-chiefThe Lahore High Court has ordered schools in Pakistan to provide pick-and-drop transportation services for students after the winter holidays, citing concerns over smog pollution. The directive was issued by Justice Shahid Karim during a hearing on petitions filed by Haroon Farooq and others. Schools that fail to comply with this order will face closure, and parents will not be informed that they are responsible for their children's transportation. The court also ordered the transport authorities to develop a vehicle fitness policy within 15 days, requiring regular inspections every three months and the issuance of fitness certificates.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1254020-lhc-orders-schools-to-provide-transport-to-students-after-winter-breakPunjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz announced several initiatives to improve education in government schools, including the establishment of modern labs and the creation of revolving funds for school construction and maintenance. She also approved a mobile bus library project to promote reading among students and emphasized the importance of enforcing uniforms in government schools. Additionally, she reviewed a school meal programme that has seen significant success, with over 13 million milk packs distributed across 3,527 schools, resulting in the enrollment of 38,000 new students and a 34% increase in overall enrollment. The chief minister also expressed condolences for two tragic events: an attack on passenger vehicles in Kurram district and the passing of former Test cricketer Nazir Jr.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1253761-maryam-announces-major-reforms-for-punjab-schoolsThe Indian government has ordered schools in New Delhi to shut due to worsening air pollution, affecting nearly two million students. The policy aims to protect the health of children from the toxic smog that chokes the city each winter. However, this measure disproportionately impacts poorer families like Harshita Gautam's, who rely on free meals provided by her school and struggle to afford alternative measures such as air purifiers. As a result, many students are confined to their homes, where they often have limited access to education and healthcare. The city's schools, including the Swami Sivananda Memorial Institute, face disruptions due to frequent closures, which can exacerbate the learning gap for students.
https://www.malaymail.com/news/life/2024/11/23/why-delhis-kids-are-losing-more-than-just-school-days-due-to-toxic-air/157751The Odisha government has approved an amendment to enhance academic excellence, governance, and administrative efficiency at universities. The amendment aims to improve the recruitment process by streamlining it and eliminating stagnation caused by court cases, allowing for a more transparent and time-bound procedure for appointments. It also incorporates aspects of the National Education Policy, such as multi-disciplinary education, skill development, and enhanced access through distance learning. Additionally, the government has approved amendments to the Industrial Policy Resolution 2015 and the Odisha Food Processing Policy 2016 to provide relief to investors affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, including a one-time relaxation measure for those who had already commenced commercial production but failed to file their application in time.
https://www.news18.com/education-career/odisha-set-to-amend-state-universities-act-1989-for-better-autonomy-9131883.htmlUS President Donald Trump announced plans to issue an executive order on his first day in office, which would cut federal funding for schools that teach critical race theory and other sensitive topics to students. The move is aimed at limiting the inclusion of certain subjects such as transgender issues and racial content in school curricula.
https://nypost.com/2024/11/22/us-news/can-trump-deliver-on-two-big-but-contradictory-campaign-promises-to-women-and-families/A vocational and technical skills training programme in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Kurram and Orakzai districts has concluded, equipping 700 young individuals with hands-on skills such as cell phone repair, LED bulb assembly, and solar system installation. The three-month programme was supported by the Government of Japan, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and Sarhad Rural Support Programme (SRSP). At a closing ceremony in Islamabad, graduates received certificates and toolkits to help them start small businesses or secure employment opportunities. The programme focused on empowering women, with 375 women trained in various skills. It is part of a broader effort to develop youth leadership, empower young women, and generate strategies for climate resilience.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1253566-700-youth-from-kurram-orakzai-acquire-market-driven-skillsThe United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) presented its strategies to promote equity and quality in education globally at the TECH4ALL forum. The organization's STEM strategy aims to support member states in promoting STEM education by building a solid ecosystem that fosters critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and innovation. UNESCO is working with Huawei to revitalize STEM education in Europe and equip future generations with STEM skills. As part of its TECH4ALL initiative, Huawei has partnered with various organizations, including governments, NGOs, and universities, to promote digital inclusion and sustainability. The initiative has already reached 6,000 people in 31 cities through the DigiTruck project, which provides digital skills training to priority communities, including the elderly and young job seekers.
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/linitiative-tech4all-de-huawei-elargit-son-role-dans-la-transformation-numerique-et-ecologique-de-leurope-302314484.htmlThe World Vocational Education Conference was held to promote vocational education globally through six key initiatives. The event featured a comprehensive conference, a global alliance of educational institutions and industries, an international skills competition with 42 tracks, and the launch of a journal produced by Tianjin University of Technology and Education. UNESCO's assistant director-general Stefania Giannini highlighted vocational education as a catalyst for transformation, emphasizing its role in driving change and meeting global challenges. China's minister of education Huai Jinpeng outlined a vision for "5I" education - Inclusive, Industry-oriented, Innovative, Intelligent, and International - to serve all and drive innovation.
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-focus-on-vocational-education-at-tianjin-conference-302313972.html