Singapore's Ministry of Education (MOE) is facing concerns about the decline in literacy levels among older workers. According to a study by the Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC), Singaporeans' ability to read and understand complex texts declines with age, which may impact their employability. In response, Minister Chan emphasized the need for continuous upskilling and reskilling beyond formal education, citing the importance of developing job-specific skills and adapting to technological changes. He noted that while students perform well in school, they must also focus on developing skills beyond their 15 years of formal education to remain competitive in the workforce.
https://channelnewsasia.com/singapore/adult-literacy-decline-older-singapore-adults-oecd-new-skills-education-4844781Singapore's Minister for Education, Chan Chun Sing, has emphasized the need for a culture of learning and SkillsFuture training to keep adults in Singapore competent. This is necessary as the country's workforce needs to adapt to an increasingly complex and rapidly changing job market. The government had planned to stop using NRIC numbers for authentication, but it was not implemented. In other news, Singapore and Malaysia are exploring a framework for cross-border electricity trade through renewable energy certificates.
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/singapore/skillsfuture-training-culture-learning-needed-keep-adults-competent-chan-chun-singTanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan has reaffirmed her government's commitment to improving education to equip youth with skills for the country's growing investment projects, which rely heavily on modern technologies. The goal is to have a skilled workforce that can be employed in various professions within these projects, such as those established in North Unguja, Zanzibar, where President Hassan inaugurated the newly built Bumbwini Secondary School on January 8, 2025.
https://www.thecitizen.co.tz/tanzania/news/national/samia-stresses-education-s-role-in-driving-investment-growth-4882712Lightspeed has launched Topcat Cascadia, a networked instructional audio system designed to provide equal access to learning in classrooms. The system integrates with other classroom technology and ensures every student can hear their teacher's voice clearly, regardless of the room's size or acoustics. It also prioritizes safety by integrating with life-safety and building-wide communication systems, allowing teachers to send discreet alerts or initiate two-way communication with support staff. Topcat Cascadia is an advancement in Lightspeed's Cascadia line, which has seen strong demand from schools prioritizing student and staff safety.
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lightspeed-launches-topcat-cascadia-networked-audio-solution-for-enhanced-classroom-safety-and-communication-302346058.htmlThe UAE has launched a campaign to support education in Palestine by sending school bags and supplies to students. The initiative is led by the UAE, with the participation of several organizations including the Emirates Red Crescent, Zayed Charitable & Humanitarian Foundation, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation, and Sharjah Charity International. The campaign aims to alleviate the living burdens on Palestinian families and provide educational opportunities for children, who are seen as a key part of building a better future.
https://www.gulftoday.ae/news/2025/01/08/uae-launches-education-support-campaign-in-gazaVictoria's most expensive private schools, including Geelong Grammar, Penleigh and Essendon Grammar, and Mentone Grammar, will have their federal funding reduced over the next five years due to being "overfunded" by millions of dollars. The list of 299 schools, published for the first time during Senate estimates, includes institutions that have banked excess funds from the Commonwealth since 2024. Education Minister Jason Clare has vowed to transition these schools down to their assessed School Resourcing Standard (SRS) by 2029.
The education system in West Pokot is facing challenges as students are not turning up for exams, with some parents expressing concerns about the situation. A parent noted that despite the difficulties, they believe more students will start attending classes as the week progresses. The area has also been affected by recent incidents of examination malpractice and student deaths by suicide.
https://www.the-star.co.ke/counties/rift-valley/2025-01-08-low-turnout-of-students-in-west-pokot-as-schools-reopenThe Uttar Pradesh Basic Education Council is planning to launch a campaign called "School Chalo Abhiyan 2023-24" led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, which will begin on April 1. This initiative aims to improve the education system in the state. The announcement comes as the Indian government has been under scrutiny for its handling of educational policies, with some questioning whether the Prime Minister's own educational background is a matter of public concern.
https://www.lokmattimes.com/national/uttar-pradesh-cm-yogi-to-begin-school-chalo-abhiyan-2023-24-on-april-1/A report by UNICEF has found that Ethiopia's Amhara region has the highest number of out-of-school children with approximately 4.4 million, followed by Oromia with 3.2 million and Tigray with about 1.2 million. The country's education sector has been severely impacted by conflicts, natural disasters, and internal displacement, resulting in over 10,000 damaged schools, or 18% of the total number of schools across Ethiopia. Yohannes Wogasso, head of educational programs at the Ministry of Education, disputes UNICEF's figure, citing discrepancies due to differing definitions of "out-of-school students" and the time it takes to gather accurate data.
https://www.voanews.com/a/million-children-in-ethiopia-out-of-school-hijab-ban-in-tigray-adds-tension/7927557.html