President Trump has expressed his intention to dismantle the Department of Education, but it appears unlikely he will receive the necessary votes from Congress. Teachers unions are strongly opposing this move, warning that shutting down the department would have devastating consequences for families, communities, and students, citing potential disruptions to federal funding and support services.
https://www.ocregister.com/2025/05/07/government-backed-student-loans-are-welfare-for-the-better-off/The Trump administration is targeting universities over rising antisemitism on college campuses, with incidents increasing by 5% from 2023 to 2024, according to the Anti-Defamation League. The House Education Committee held a hearing, where university presidents were questioned about their efforts to address the issue. Democrats criticized the White House's actions and budget cuts to the Office of Civil Rights, which investigates discrimination on campuses, saying it could lead to more antisemitism and discrimination. American Council on Education President Ted Mitchell called this ironic, as the office is often used to report complaints of antisemitism.
https://www.scrippsnews.com/us-news/education/lawmakers-divided-on-a-path-forward-to-address-campus-antisemitismThe Trump administration has threatened to withhold all new federal grants to Harvard University, following a report by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) that the institution failed to implement reforms demanded by the administration. The reforms included broad government and leadership changes as well as modifications to admissions policies. President Trump had previously halted funding for Harvard after the university defied his administration's demands to limit student activism on campus, with 13 students barred from graduating due to their protest activities during commencement in Harvard Yard.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14689209/trump-letter-harvard-terminating-federal-grants.htmlResearchers at UCL found that children with bright parents tend to perform better in school, even if they don't inherit intelligence genes. The strongest effects were observed around age three, influenced by parental genetic predispositions, motivation, perseverance, emotional regulation, and self-control. Professor Jean-Baptiste Pingault notes that this suggests parents with non-cognitive skills may be particularly effective at supporting their children early on.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14688661/Are-you-genetic-nurturer-Parents-abilities-rub-children-didnt-pass-intelligence-genes.htmlThe annual cost of sending a child to state secondary school in the UK has increased by 30% over three years, reaching £2,200. Researchers from Loughborough University's Centre for Research on Socio-Economic and Population Change (CRSP) found that this rise disproportionately affects families with children at secondary school. Parents are struggling to afford basic items like stationery and PE gear, leading to their children feeling left out of activities and facing behavioral issues due to lack of equipment. Experts from the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG), National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT), and Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) have called for wider eligibility for free school meals to alleviate food costs and support families struggling with rising expenses.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14688717/Shocking-cost-parents-children-state-schools.htmlSindh's Secretary for College Education, Shahab Qamar Ansari, conducted a visit to various field offices and examination centers in Karachi to review administrative functions and ensure smooth examinations. He met with Dr Naveed-u-Rab Siddiqui, director general colleges Sindh, and Prof FM Lakho, regional director colleges Karachi, at the Directorate General Colleges Sindh. Ansari inspected examination halls at Government College for Women, Shahrah-e-Liaquat, and DJ Government Science College, Karachi, emphasizing the need for a conducive environment during exams.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1309423-college-secretary-orders-facilities-at-exam-centresMalaysia's Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim emphasized the need for comprehensive reforms in education strategy ahead of the 13th Malaysia Plan, citing the importance of updating existing policies to create a more equitable and sustainable system. He discussed new strategies with Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek, focusing on preschool education, teacher training, STEM development, and reorganizing the National Education Master Plan. Anwar hopes for immediate implementation of these reforms to address issues such as student dropout rates and outdated teaching permits in both public and private sectors.
https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2025/05/08/pm-anwar-calls-for-bold-education-reforms-ahead-of-13th-malaysia-plan/175945The Asia-Pacific region faces a significant AI skills gap, with only 15% of respondents having engaged in AI skilling programs, while 57% remain unaware of their existence. Younger workers are more likely to embrace AI as a means to future-proof their careers, but mature workers express concerns about AI trustworthiness and language barriers. The initiative aims to address this gap by providing financial support and expert guidance to 49 organizations, including Seoul National University and AI Singapore, to train various groups of workers, such as migrant workers and persons with disabilities, in response to the potential creation of 97 million new jobs in an AI-driven economy.
https://en.antaranews.com/news/354509/avpn-is-introducing-49-organisations-who-will-train-apac-workers?utm_source=antaranews&utm_medium=desktop&utm_campaign=popular_rightBatu Gajah's MP, Sivakumar Varatharaju, has sponsored free spectacles for 26 pupils from Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan (Tamil) Changkat in Batu Gajah. The initiative was made possible through a free eye screening held by Pertubuhan Penganut Sai Hrudaya Nivasi, a Perak-based charitable organization. The screenings detected vision problems in 382 pupils out of 2,790 screened, and the organization has already provided spectacles to those in need. Kanakaraju Kulandai, Chairman of Pertubuhan Penganut Sai Hrudaya Nivasi Perak, aims to secure more donors to support Tamil school pupils in addressing various challenges they may face.
https://www.ipohecho.com.my/2025/05/08/batu-gajah-mp-brings-clear-vision-to-tamil-school-pupils-with-free-spectacles/