Mexico celebrates 100 years of education as a public right

                                           
The SNTE, Education International’s Mexican affiliate, spared no detail to celebrate 100 years of education as a right for all citizens, at the centennial anniversary of the adoption of its national constitution.

Trade union officials from the Sindicato National de Trabajadores de la Educación (SNTE), Education International (EI)’s affiliate in Mexico, joined their president, Juan Díaz de la Torre, high-profile politicians and international scholars and delegates to celebrate a century of free public education, a right included in Mexico’s 1917 Constitution.

The celebration was headed by Díaz de la Torre alongside the governor of the State of Mexico, Eruviel Ávila Villegas, and the secretary for Public Education, Aurelio Nuño Mayer, who signed SNTE’s declaration “For education and public schools”.

At the international seminar “Education and public schools”, organised by SNTE as part of the celebrations, Díaz de la Torre said the Constitution’s 3^rd article – relating to education as a right for all - shows Mexico’s commitment to establish education as a fundamental human right and a public good.

He highlighted the opportunities that had been created for all Mexicans with the establishment of a compulsory and free public education, especially for those living in conditions of inequality and poverty. “The education system then became the best platform to build a country in justice and equity”, at a time when almost 80 per cent of the country’s population could neither read nor write, he said.

The event was also attended by prominent international scholars. Antoni Verger, from the Autonomous University of Barcelona, Spain, outlined the findings of his latest research into the expansion of private for-profit education in the Latin American region. Gustavo Fischman, from the University of Arizona, and Carol Anne Spreen, from New York University in the US shared their research on public policy and education. All of the speakers highlighted the importance of education as a human right and a public good in the development of a nation

In his keynote speech, David Edwards, Deputy General Secretary of EI, stated his support of Mexico in the context of its current foreign policy challenges. “It is time for bridges, not for walls”, he said, congratulating SNTE and its affiliates for a century of compulsory, free and secular public education. He also stressed the union’s key role in the fight against the privatisation and commercialisation of education, a fight that is “possible, necessary and urgent”, with edubusinesses aiming to turn education into a marketplace.

Edwards highlighted the “long way from education as a privilege to education as a public right”, and the role that the teachers’ movement had played in the definition, institutionalisation and implementation of that right. “Our successes should make us proud, but let us not rest, let us continue to defend this right for our children and for the generations to come. Let us still be proud 100 years from now.”

Yabatech Student Crushed To Death By An Overloaded Trailer

                                                    
according to a post from myschool, it was reported that a 20-year-old undergraduate of Yaba College of Technology has been crushed to death by an overloaded trailer after a terrible brake failure at Ekoro junction, in Abule Egba, Lagos State.

The student identified as Bukola Ajayi was said to be taking her brother to school when the trailer came crushing the tricycle they were riding in.

Bukola on the incident quickly pushed her brother out of the tricycle but was unable to save herself.

The trailer was said to have also crushed three other tricycles and a TATA bus affecting other victims.

All the other victims of the accident have been rushed to the hospital.

Ooni of Ife charged management of OAU to support community development and culture

                                      

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has challenged tertiary institutions to ensure that their host communities benefit from their research findings for holistic and balanced development for both.

Ogunwusi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ile-Ife, Osun hat this would further advance the gown-town relationship between towns and citadels of learning.

The monarch told NAN that there was no working relationship between the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) and community that could have further uplifted the status of the town culturally, agriculturally and in other sectors.

The monarch also said that the university had not been supporting the developmental plans of the ancient town in empowering its youths in agriculture, cultural orientations and others.

“The community donated a large expanse of land to the institution in a befitting environment to operate where it has been experiencing peace since its establishment in 1962.

“The institution uses the statue of the legendary Oduduwa as part of its logo, meaning that it appreciates culture.

“Also, its motto is “ For Learning and Culture’’ symbolises that the town (community) and the gown (academic community ) must work together for the public interest.

“Also, the indigenes of the town have been cooperating with the institution, thus making the institution to operate in a hitch-free learning environment, ” he said.

Ogunwusi urged the authorities of OAU to come to the aid of the community for both to form a formidable working relationship for the good of all.

He, therefore, appealed to the institution’s authorities to continue upholding what was contained in its motto by impacting the cultural knowledge to the younger generation.

The monarch said that the institution needed to give back in return to the community that had been accommodating it in the spirit of corporate social responsibilities.

“We are not asking for too much, we just wanted the institution to empower some of the indigent youths from the ancient town and its environs on agriculture, culture and other areas that will make them become self-reliant.’’

This is because the future of our youths in the community matters most to us their leaders, he said.

“I will like to use this medium to call on the authorities of the institution to establish a good working relationship and plans of action with Ife community, ” he said.

source:thenationonileng

UNIBEN admitted 10,000 out of over 100,000 students

The University of Benin (UNIBEN) on Friday matriculated 10,000 students for the 2016/2017 academic session.

The Vice-Chancellor (VC) of the institution, Prof. Faraday Orumwense, said at the event in Benin that the institution would not condone all forms of nefarious activities.

“I am urging you all to obey the university rules and regulations as the authority has zero tolerance for any nefarious act and will apply sanctions against defaulters.

“I encourage you all to be decent and shun evil vices like exam malpractice, drug abuse, cultism, prostitution and immoral activities that may mar your academic activities in this institution,” he said.

The vice chancellor reminded the new students that they were selected out of the over 100, 000 students who applied for admission, as such they must take their studies very seriously.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some of the matriculating students appreciated the opportunity to study in the institution, promising to be law abiding.

congratulations to the matriculated students... 

WHAT!!!! 23 teachers impregnate students

Zambia News and Information Service (ZANIS) on Saturday said no fewer than 23 teachers were dismissed in Zambia for sexually abusing and impregnating pupils in 2016.

The Teaching Service Commission in Zambia said that the teachers were dismissed for having sex with the pupils and impregnating others from January to December 2016.

The commission is a quasi-government agency that oversees all matters related to terms and conditions of teacher services.

Jennifer Chiwala, the commission chairperson, however, said that two provinces, Lusaka and Luapula, did not record any case of sexual abuse of pupils.

“As of January to December 2016, a total of 23 teachers were dismissed out of which 13 were dismissed for having carnal knowledge of pupils, while the other 10 were dismissed for impregnating pupils,’’ she said.

According to her, investigations have been launched concerning the sexual abuse of pupils by teachers and that a comprehensive report will be issued after the investigations.

“In January, some pupils at a girls’ school in northern Zambia complained of sexual abuse by teachers, a move that caused anger, forcing the government to launch investigations.

“So far, some teachers have been suspended at the school after they were implicated of perpetrating the trend by the pupils during investigations. 

UK: Brexit outs EU academics and its impact

Following the Brexit vote, around 31,000 EU academics in UK universities are being told to make arrangements to leave, some having already decided to comply, putting the expertise of UK universities in serious jeopardy.

While most of the Brexit commentary about UK universities concentrated on issues of funding, research cooperation and students, much less attention had been paid to what keeps universities running, such as academic staff, and what Brexit will mean for the 30,000-plus EU academics in the UK.

Having lived and worked here for more than two decades, many EU academics decided to apply for leave to remain after 23 June. However, following the rejection of their applications they received a letter from the Home Office saying that they should “now make arrangements to leave”. The typical letter goes on saying that “if you fail to make a voluntary departure a separate decision may be made at a later date to enforce your removal…” It goes on explaining that the decision on whether to accept or reject these applications is based on the “Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 and Regulation 26 of the Immigration (European Economic Area) Regulations 2006”. The latter will be repealed in the Great Repeal Bill planned by the government, which could rescind any ‘right to remain’ granted under existing law and regulations.

Already EU nationals are leaving, or planning to leave, because of the uncertain and unwelcoming future they now face.

The considerable impact on UK universities

A recent survey of academics conducted by YouGov for the University and College Union (UCU), an Education International (EI) affiliate, found that an overwhelming majority (90 per cent) said Brexit will have a negative impact on UK higher education. Three-quarters (76 per cent) of non-UK EU academics said they were more likely to consider leaving UK higher education. A third (29 per cent) said they already know of academics leaving the UK, and over two-fifths (44 per cent) said they know of academics who have lost access to research funding as a direct result of Brexit.

Figures calculated from the Higher Education Statistics Agency data for 2014/15 also show that UK universities are heavily dependent on academics from the EU, as 31,000 UK university academics come from the EU – 16 percent of the total.

And they are undeniably essential to UK top-rated universities: the London School of Economics has 38 per cent EU academic staff, and other prominent London colleges – Imperial, King’s, University College London – have between a quarter and nearly a third. Oxford has 24 per cent and Cambridge 22 per cent.

The EU academics are equally important in core subject areas vital to UK long-term economic health. Areas like physics (26 per cent), chemical engineering (25 per cent), biosciences (22 per cent), chemistry (21 per cent) and IT (20 per cent) are all heavily reliant on European talent.

Because they represent an important part of the UK global status, losing EU academics therefore could have negative effects for the UK.

Merry Christmas and Happy new year in Advance From CEO Araa Group

Am Adefowoju Ayodele CEO of Araa Group which involve Araa Edu Consult, Araa Foundation and Araa Academy.

I want to use this great opportunity to appreciate all our clients, fans and followers for standing by us and being part of our achievement during this year 2016 as only you remain the sound and the platform that gives us the greatest opportunity to deliver an undiluted, quality and best service in the cycle of education and general news around the world. As the organization close for her operation for this year i pray we all enjoy the rest of the year in blessing and joy but remember celebrating goodness deals with love and you can only celebrate when your still alive so i will advice we celebrate with care and act save. we love you and will still want to do business with you come the new year of fulfillment 2017......once again from Me and the enterer crew of Araa we wish you merry xams and happy new year in advance..

GOD BLESS YOU
Adefowoju Ayodele
CEO Araa Group