A petition was submitted by Afshan Asif, whose husband Sardar Mohammad Asif Naqshbandi was detained by law enforcement agencies in the Gulistan-e-Jauhar area on December 17. The petitioner claimed that her husband was not involved in any criminal activity and had been running a restaurant to support their children. She requested the Sindh High Court (SHC) to direct the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and other law enforcement agencies to produce her husband and provide details of any cases against him. The SHC issued notices to federal and provincial law officers, FIA, and others, calling for comments on January 9. In a separate matter, the SHC directed the health department and others to submit a compliance report regarding the enrolment of students in a nursing college, after petitioners claimed that despite court orders, a private nursing college was not allowing student enrolment.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1268445-shc-issues-notice-to-fia-on-plea-against-detention-of-suspected-afghan-nationalThe year 2024 was marked by widespread controversy and turmoil in the education landscape of India, particularly with regards to entrance exams. The National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) Undergraduate exam was marred by a paper leak, which led to an investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Several state-level exams were also affected by similar controversies, including the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission's review officer exam and the Tamil Nadu Teacher Eligibility Test. In response, several states introduced measures to prevent future leaks, such as stringent laws with jail terms and fines for those involved. The repeated cancellations and delays of exams sparked widespread protests across the country, with students demanding accountability and justice. The NEET UG 2024 retest saw a significant drop in the number of toppers, further fueling outrage. The government responded by introducing secure online portals for question paper delivery and limiting the role of the National Testing Agency (NTA) to conducting entrance exams from 2025. In another controversy, the Bihar Public Service Commission's 70th Combined Competitive Examination was marred by allegations of irregularities, including delayed question papers and mismanagement. The situation escalated when a district magistrate slapped a protesting candidate, leading to further delays and security breaches.
https://www.ndtv.com/education/year-ender-2024-exam-paper-leaks-cancellations-and-student-protests-7351229#pfrom=home-ndtv_mainnavigationA current student at Newington College, a private school in Sydney's inner west, has launched legal action against the school's governing council over its decision to admit girls from 2026. The student claims that the council breached the terms of the school's charitable trust by considering and planning to implement the move to co-education. A statement of claim filed in the NSW Supreme Court alleges that members of the council had contravened their duties under the original deed of indenture, which is limited to the education and advancement of boys and young men. The student, who cannot be identified due to a non-disclosure order, claims that he faces being bullied and shunned if his identity becomes known. The school has faced a fierce backlash since unveiling its plan to admit girls in November 2023, with some parents and graduates protesting against the move.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/the-boy-who-is-suing-his-private-school-20241224-p5l0jt.htmlThe controversy surrounding the BPSC exams has sparked a debate about education mafias and fairness in public recruitment processes. The movement, which began with candidates organizing via a Telegram group, has been politicized after leaders and teachers joined. Protestors are demanding transparency and probity in competitive exams, citing exam irregularities as their main concern.
https://www.lokmattimes.com/national/tejashwi-joins-protestors-over-bpsc-exams-student-leader-indignant-over-bid-to-politicise-stir/Serbia's government has extended school winter holidays by a week in an attempt to address growing student protests that have been ongoing for weeks. The protests, which began at universities and have since spread to high schools, have seen students camping out inside their faculty buildings. Despite the government's efforts to quell the demonstrations, occasional violence has erupted when pro-government thugs have attempted to disrupt the protests. The movement has received support from various sectors of society, including professors, media personalities, lawyers, and prominent individuals. President Vucic initially accused the students of protesting for financial gain, but later claimed that he had met their demands by publishing documentation related to a renovation project at the Novi Sad station.
https://globalnews.ca/news/10930306/thousands-stream-into-belgrade-square-to-protest-against-populist-serbian-president/The government and private schools in Islamabad and Rawalpindi will reopen today after being suspended for three days due to protests by the Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaaf (PTI) party. The decision was made by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who announced that mobile internet services would also be restored by Wednesday morning. The schools were initially closed on Saturday as a precautionary measure ahead of the PTI's planned protest on November 24, with some opting for online classes and others declaring Saturday as a regular school day to make up for lost learning time.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1255722-schools-colleges-reopen-todayPrimary school students at Hendra State School in Brisbane have protested against the proposed development of a 24-hour McDonald's restaurant on Nudgee Road, calling for "homes over hamburgers" and advocating for healthier options. The protest was part of a growing chorus of opposition to the project from local residents, who are concerned about the potential impact on the area.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/queensland/school-children-join-fight-against-proposed-mcdonald-s-20241127-p5kty8.htmlSchools in Islamabad and Rawalpindi have switched to online classes due to road closures and safety concerns. The district administration ordered the closure of educational institutions in Islamabad citing the current political situation, while private schools in both cities are conducting classes online to ensure uninterrupted learning. This decision was made after the opposition PTI announced a protest at D-Chowk, despite the government's ban on rallies.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1254987-schools-go-online-amid-road-closures-safety-concernsThe 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.
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