Stories about Education from January, 2010
Africa: African women's struggle for credibility
A discussion about African women's struggle for credibility: “Africans have faced discrimination for centuries, yet women have been marginalized for much, much longer.”
Hungary, Slovakia: Open Borders, Assimilation, Nationalism
Hungarian Spectrum writes about nationalism, assimilation, open borders, Hungary's minorities and the Hungarian diaspora in the neighboring countries.
China: How does the young generation view Confucius
A rumor circulated on the web that all the 2D versions of Avatar have been pulled out of the Chinese cinemas to make way for the domestic movie Confucius. Despite reports like this, government officials quickly denied it. Yet like all rumors, even if wrong, they may contain a kernel...
Saudi Arabia: A Barcamp
Qusay announced that a new Barcamp, in Saudi Arabia, will be held at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) on January. The barcamp will focus on entrepreneurship.
Kenya: Kiswahili an optional subject
Bumni writes about the decision to make Kiswahili an optional subject in Kenya: “The subject will no longer be a compulsory paper in the Standard Eight national examinations…”
Afghanistan: Youth Find Outlets Amid Ongoing Violence
Last year was the deadliest one for Afghanistan's civilians, including children, since the American-led war began in 2001. Despite the circumstances, efforts are being made nationwide by and for youth to maintain their health and education and to empower them.
Trinidad & Tobago, Haiti: Emergency SMS
Know TnT.com sees the value of emergency SMS: “It could save lives and improve the quality of life of people. And it would work best if it's set up beforehand instead of afterward.”
Tunisia: Bloggers Against Student Imprisonment
The recent trials of a group of Tunisian students and their sentencing to prison terms ranging from six months of three years after organizing a sit-in in a university accommodation to claim the right of girl students in housing prompted bloggers to launch a support campaign calling for their freedom, writes Lina Ben Mhenni.
Georgia: Patriotic military classes
In the latest edition of Caucasus Watch, a bi-monthly feature of the blog-based Evolutsia, Inge Snip takes exception to a proposal from the Georgian president to introduce patriotic-military classes in schools. Although the blog recognizes the importance of a country such as Georgia being able to defend itself, it says...
Barbados, Haiti: Helping our Neighbours
“Remember how Barbados struggled when one house collapsed into a cave? We couldn’t rescue five people with everything we had on the island and a special team in from the United States. Now think about Haiti”: Barbados Free Press challenges the Caribbean community “to take 10% of Haiti’s population from...
South Africa: Photos of first day in school from readers
Dispatch Now has a gallery of photos from their online readers after they asked them to send pictures of little ones having their first ever day at school.
Cambodia: Conference on “Open knowledge, free culture”
The conference “Open Knowledge, free culture” was organized at the Royal University of Phnom Penh in Cambodia. Speakers discussed, among others, the impact of new technology and social media in Southeast Asian societies.
Bahamas: Investing in Culture
“The call for some thought to be given to an investment in Bahamian art and culture, is not about tourism at all. It is about finding, and reminding us of, ourselves”: Nicolette Bethel clarifies the purpose of The Day of Absence.
Lebanon: Valet Parking
Armigatus presents several views on valet parking in Lebanon, encouraging people to walk instead of drive, in this post.
Zimbabwe: Reality TV show as medium to learn about Constructive Criticism
Through a video training process children in Zimbabwe wrote, performed, filmed and edited a short movie showing how gossip and badly given criticism could kill.
Political Witch-Hunt at the University of the Philippines
Filipino cultural critic E. San Juan, Jr. writes a scathing comment on the political persecution against University of the Philippines activist-professor Sarah Raymundo.
Taiwan: Teaching anthropology in Hualien
Kerim Friedman writes about his experience teaching anthropology at Dong Hwa University in Hualien.
Oman: Diet, Podcast, and the Higher Educational System
Omani bloggers are back in the blogging scene as they start the new year with big resolutions and plans, writes Riyadh Al Balushi.
China: The tragic curtain call of substitute teachers
Starting 2010, 448,000 substitute teachers in China will be laid off. CC & Key from China Hush translated local news and online comments on this latest policy by the ministry of education.
India: University Portal Offers Free E-education
Think Change India informs that “the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has launched a portal called Flexi-Learn in an effort to offer education over internet free of cost.”
Video: In Spain, Camera Free Video Workshop for Kids
In Valladolid Spain, Film-making is taught to children without them having to use a camera. Following are some of the videos showcasing the process and final results of these workshops.
