1.

Foreign students may be undermining UK higher education, says Cleverly

Home secretary calls for visa review over concern that courses are being used as shortcut to gain
work permits
The home secretary, James Cleverly, has said international students may be “undermining the
integrity and quality of the UK higher education system” by using university courses as a cheap
way of getting work visas.
In a letter to the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), Cleverly asked the body to investigate
whether the graduate visa entitlement – allowing international students to work for two or three
years after graduating – was failing to attract “the brightest and the best” to the UK.
But university leaders fear that cutting or restricting the graduate visa route will lead to a drastic
fall in international recruitment, and provoke a financial crisis for universities that rely on
income from international tuition fees.
Cleverly told the MAC that while the government was committed to attracting “talented students
from around the world to study in the UK”, it also wanted “to ensure the graduate route is not
being abused. In particular, that some of the demand for study visas is not being driven more by
a desire for immigration”.
Cleverly said: “An international student can spend relatively little on fees for a one-year course
and gain access to two years with no job requirement on the graduate route, followed by four
years’ access to a discounted salary threshold on the skilled worker route.
Link: https://www.theguardian.com/education/2024/mar/12/overseas-students-undermining-uk-
higher-education-warns-cleverly

2. Oxbridge must help pupils from state schools succeed, college head says
Helen Mountfield, principal of Mansfield College, Oxford, hopes to raise £100m to help improve
outcomes
Oxbridge colleges need to actively help their state school-educated pupils succeed, rather than
hope a “magical sorting hat” will uncover their talent, according to the head of an Oxford college
who is looking to raise £100m to do just that.
Helen Mountfield, the principal of Mansfield College, Oxford, said her college was able to
recruit 93% of its undergraduates from UK state schools and see them flourish because of the
extra effort it put in.
She said: “We pride ourselves on taking in people on what we see is their intellectual aptitude.
Sometimes they haven’t had the maths coaching they need, or they haven’t had as much
individual support in how to structure an essay, for example.
“So if you come here, and you’re doing PPE or engineering, and you say: ‘I’m stuck on the
maths,’ we want to be able to say: ‘Don’t stress about that, you’re a clever person.’ We’ll give
you coaching in maths and we’ll get you back up to where you need to be.”
“So if you come here, and you’re doing PPE or engineering, and you say: ‘I’m stuck on the
maths,’ we want to be able to say: ‘Don’t stress about that, you’re a clever person.’ We’ll give
you coaching in maths and we’ll get you back up to where you need to be.”
Link: https://www.theguardian.com/education/2024/mar/10/oxbridge-must-help-pupils-from-
state-schools-succeed-college-head-says

3. Mental health leave offered to Taiwanese students as youth suicides double

Scheme allows three days off each term as high school stress and depression rates soar
Taiwanese high schools will begin offering mental health leave to students this month, to address
rising rates of youth suicide and high levels of stress and depression.
Under the programme, high school students can apply for up to three days off each semester,
taken as full or half days, without proof of need but with the permission of their parents. More
than 40 schools have expressed interest in the trial run, according to the ministry of education.
The scheme is in response to rising concerns over mental health issues among young people in
Taiwan. Between 2014 and 2022, the suicide rate among people aged 15 to 24 more than
doubled, even as the overall rate declined.
But some Taiwanese authorities have been criticised over their response to the crisis, with
advocates saying extreme academic pressure on students is a key driver of stress, anxiety and
depression.
In 2022, a senior official at the ministry of health and welfare came under fire from youth
advocacy groups after linking the increase in suicides to the “growing number of tall buildings in
Taiwan”. His comments were in response to a question from UN experts about whether Taiwan
authorities had looked into systemic factors such as academic pressure, and were widely
criticised as dismissive of growing concerns about the impact this had on students in Taiwan and
other east Asian countries.
Link: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/mar/03/mental-health-leave-offered-to-
taiwanese-students-as-youth-suicides-double

4. Warnings of economic damage to UK as international student numbers fall by a third

University leaders accuse ministers of wanting to ‘diminish our success’ as figures show a
plunge in visas issued to overseas students
Immigration restrictions imposed on international students threaten to damage the UK economy,
according to university leaders, with the number enrolling from overseas falling by a third.
Universities UK (UUK), which represents mainstream universities and colleges, said the
government’s new curbs, coupled with steep visa fee increases and threats to cut back on
graduate work entitlements, are having a negative impact on the UK as a study destination.
Data from more than 60 UK universities shows that the number of study visas issued has fallen
by 33% this year compared with the same time last year. A separate survey of 70 universities by
UUK found that enrolments in postgraduate taught courses were down by more than 40% since
January’s immigration changes.
Vivienne Stern, UUK’s chief executive, said: “I regret the fact the government appears to want
to diminish our success in this area. Our new data shows that if they wanted to see a reduction in
numbers, they have already achieved that through policy changes introduced earlier this year.
“If they go further, they will damage the economies of towns and cities throughout the UK, as
well as many universities. Given we should be doing everything we can to promote economic
growth, this seems to be getting the priorities wrong.”
Link: https://www.theguardian.com/education/2024/feb/29/student-immigration-restrictions-
will-damage-uk-economy-universities-say

5. Australian student visa fee hike proposal triggers debate

A proposed student visa price hike in Australia aims to curb a perceived strain foreign
matriculators are putting on markets, but critics say limiting international students will cause
worse problems.
The Grattan Institute, an Australian public policy think tank, suggested late last month a hike in
student visa application charges, raising the fee from AU$750 to AU$2,500 (US$497-1,656),
which applicants must pay regardless of whether or not they secure a visa.
According to the institute, since the pandemic, Australia's international student numbers have
soared to over 650,000, doubling the figures from 2012 and tripling the ratio of foreign students
to locals in Canada and the U.K.
The surge has spiked demand for housing, pushing rent up by about 1% for every 100,000
newcomers due to the scarce supply. While higher rents paid by these students boost national
income, as Australians own most of the rented properties, it also widens the wealth gap.
Wealthier, older homeowners benefit, whereas younger, poorer renters face increased financial
strain, it said.
The Grattan Institute's analysts said the government should raise student visa fees to "discourage
students intending to complete cheaper, low-value courses from coming to Australia" rather than
apply a levy to international student fee revenues. Raising student visa application fees would
raise some AU$1 billion a year, which could fund support for vulnerable renters, according to
the institute.
Link: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/education/australian-student-visa-fee-hike-proposal-
triggers-debate-4722054.html

6. Another Australian state stops admitting central Vietnam students

New South Wales has become the second Australian state to suspend its admittance of students
from central Vietnam localities due to the disappearances of several students.
DE International, the international unit of the New South Wales (NSW)’s Department of
Education, has informed their partners in Vietnam that the state will no longer receive
applications from students from central provinces of Quang Binh, Nghe An, Ha Tinh and the
northern province of Quang Ninh over "concerns related to students' non-compliance with
regulations," according to Tuoi Tre newspaper.
According to content sent to some study abroad consulting centers in Vietnam, the Australian
unit said it will refund the processing fees for applications already submitted by students from
the four localities.
The organization's enrollment department will contact educational consulting firms in Vietnam
to complete such procedures.
DE International has apologized to its partners and expressed hope for their understanding of this
decision.
An educational consulting firm in Vietnam said the decision applies to students wishing to study
from grades 1 to 12 in NSW.
For higher education levels, Mai Viet Thuy, Principal of the University Preparation College in
NSW, told Tuoi Tre that the government has advised institutions to be cautious when reviewing
applications from students from these regions.
Link: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/education/another-australian-state-stops-admitting-
central-vietnam-students-4721497.html

7. Project helps Vietnamese students better integrate into Australia

The Association of the Vietnamese Students in Queensland (AVSQ) has organized the Future
Queenslanders project in an effort to help Vietnamese students better integrate into life in
Australia.
Designed with three milestones, the project, held from January to March 9, aimed at providing
Vietnamese students, especially newcomers to Australia, with the necessary knowledge and
skills while studying in the country.
According to Quan Nguyen Quynh Anh, head of the project, the AVSQ is expected to give the
students a better insight into the life of overseas students in Australia and help them get
connected with each other.
The Milestone 1 event, called Queensland Know All, was arranged in Vietnam to give the
participants an overview of Queensland state and Brisbane City in particular. Meanwhile,
Milestone 2, named "AVSQO-week", was organized in the Australian city to share experiences
and information related to healthcare, finance, and learning methods with the Vietnamese
students who set foot in the city for the first time.
The Milestone 3 event brought together 40 Vietnamese in Australia for several traditional games,
helping strengthen connectivity within the Vietnamese community.
Established on June 18, 2021, with the support of the Vietnamese Embassy in Australia and the
Vietnamese General Consulate in Sydney, the AVSQ is a non-profit organization that focuses on
skill development and career orientation programs for Vietnamese students in Queensland and
Australia as a whole.
Link: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/education/project-helps-vietnamese-students-better-
integrate-into-australia-4723004.html
 8. Gen-Z students spearhead Vietnam's semiconductor strategy
Nguyen Phuong Linh is among a crop of young electronics students crucial to Vietnam's
ambitions to become a chips hub.
She's driven, smart and already has her sights set on a professorship -- wanting to train a new
generation that could help woo foreign investors eager to diversify semiconductor production.
Long viewed as a low-cost destination to make clothes, shoes and furniture, Vietnam is now
eyeing a rapid climb up the global supply chain and has put computer chips at the heart of its
development plans.
It is a goal that suits nations such as the United States -- increasingly worried about economic
tensions with Beijing -- but there are huge hurdles to overcome, chiefly a shortage of highly
skilled engineers.
"Chips are attracting so much attention... among both the government and the public," Linh told
AFP from a tiny windowless lab at Hanoi's University of Science and Technology, crowded with
computers.
"I used to dream of working as a chip designer but now I want to be a professor. I think our
country needs more teachers to create a better workforce," the 21-year-old said.
Vietnam's market for semiconductors, which are used in everything from smartphones to
satellites and to power AI technology, is expected to grow at 6.5% a year, reaching $7 billion by
2028, according to Technavio, a market research firm.
Link: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/education/gen-z-students-spearhead-vietnam-s-
semiconductor-strategy-4722669.html

9. PM Chinh wants Australia to double scholarships for Vietnamese students

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has asked Australia to double the number of scholarships for
Vietnamese students in the next two or three years.
Speaking at the Vietnam-Australia Education Cooperation Forum held at the Australian National
University on Friday, he thanked that country for helping with the training of personnel, even at
a time when Vietnam was under an embargo.
He hoped Australia would double the number of scholarships, focusing on important fields like
green transformation, digital transformation, AI, and semiconductors.
He also hoped Australia would relax visa policies for Vietnam, and ensure living conditions and
safety for its students.
Australia is one of the top destinations for Vietnamese students, with over 32,000 currently
studying in the country, making them the sixth largest international student group, he said.
He wanted both countries to increase the number cooperative programs between university-level
facilities and enhance their quality, with a focus on research and development and science and
technology.
Australia provides around 70 government scholarships for Vietnamese students annually.
The two nations have 37 cross-border education programs at university-level facilities.
The Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics has established the Vietnam-Australia Center
while some Australian universities have a campus in Vietnam.
"I hope in future we will see projects that are symbolic of the Vietnam-Australia university
education cooperation and on a par with the two countries’ comprehensive strategic partnership,"
Chinh said.
Link: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/education/vietnam-wants-australia-to-double-scholarships-
for-vietnamese-students-4720195.html

10. Young Chinese again want to study abroad after the pandemic, just not so much in the
US
In the Chinese city of Shanghai, two young women seeking an education abroad have both
decided against going to the United States, a destination of choice for decades that may be losing
its shine.
For Helen Dong, a 22-year-old senior studying advertising, it was the cost. "It doesn’t work for
me when you have to spend 2 million (yuan) (US$278,000) but find no job upon returning," she
said. Dong is headed to Hong Kong this fall instead.
Costs were not a concern for Yvonne Wong, 24, now studying comparative literature and
cultures in a master’s program at the University of Bristol in Britain. For her, the issue was
safety.
"Families in Shanghai usually don’t want to send their daughters to a place where guns are not
banned — that was the primary reason," Wong said. "Between the U.S. and the U.K., the U.K. is
safer, and that’s the biggest consideration for my parents."
With an interest in studying abroad rebounding after the pandemic, there are signs that the
decades-long run that has sent an estimated 3 million Chinese students to the U.S., including
many of the country’s brightest, could be trending down, as geopolitical shifts redefine U.S.-
China relations.
Cutting people-to-people exchanges could have a lasting impact on relations between the two
countries.
Link: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/education/young-chinese-again-want-to-study-abroad-
after-the-pandemic-just-not-so-much-in-the-us-4723265.html

11. Vietnamese, US universities seal training cooperation deal

The Hanoi-based National Economic University (NEU) and the U.S.'s Andrews University are
set to team up in a four-year business administration bachelor's program.
At a ceremony held in Hanoi on Monday to exchange cooperation documents between the two
sides, Assoc. Prof. Dr Le Trung Thanh, Dean of the NEU's International School of Management
and Economics, said the program focuses on international business and contributes to enhancing
both universities' training reputation and quality, and fostering Vietnam's global integration.
It is designed to be taught at the NEU in a period of four years, with bachelor's degrees conferred
by the Andrews University. Featuring a one-week immersion at the Andrews University, the
program consists of 124 credits, with the NEU and its U.S. partner responsible for 64 and 60
credits, respectively. Participating students can transfer to the U.S. establishment for their third
academic year with a maximum tuition support of up to 50%.
According to Thanh, previously, the NEU primarily collaborated with universities in the U.K.
This teamwork marks one of the first initiatives to expand collaboration with its peers in the
U.S., he noted.
Link: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/education/vietnamese-us-universities-seal-training-
cooperation-deal-4723966.html

12. Australia tightens student visa rules as migration hits record high
Australia will begin enforcing tougher visa rules for foreign students this week as official data
showed migration hit another record high, which is likely to further exacerbate an already tight
rental market.
From Saturday, English language requirements for student and graduate visas will be increased,
while the government will get the power to suspend education providers from recruiting
international students if they repeatedly break rules.
"The actions this weekend will continue to drive migration levels down while delivering on our
commitments in the migration strategy to fix the broken system we inherited," Home Affairs
Minister Clare O'Neil said in a statement.
A new "genuine student test" will be introduced to further crack down on international students
who look to come to Australia primarily to work, while the imposition of "no further stay"
conditions will be used on more visitor visas.
The moves follow a raft of actions last year to close off Covid-era concessions introduced by the
former government, including unrestricted working hours for international students. The
government at the time said rules would be tightened for students that could halve its migrant
intake over two years.
Australia boosted its annual migration numbers in 2022 to help businesses recruit staff to fill
shortages after the Covid-19 pandemic brought strict border controls, and kept foreign students
and workers out for nearly two years.
But the sudden influx of foreign workers and students has exacerbated pressure on an already
tight rental market.
Link: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/education/australia-tightens-student-visa-rules-as-
migration-hits-record-high-4724961.html

13. Hanoi university joins hands with Vietnam Airlines to shorten aviation engineering
training
Instead of spending seven years to obtain an aircraft maintenance technology certificate, students
at Hanoi University of Science and Technology (USTH) will now only take four years.
The USTH signed a training cooperation agreement with Vietnam Airlines Corporation and
Vietnam Aircraft Engineering Company (VAECO) for 2024-2026 on Tuesday.
Aviation engineering students at USTH, after completing a three-year program at the university
with 180 credits, will spend about 10 months studying and practicing at VAECO to obtain a B1
and B2 certificate in aircraft maintenance technology.
VAECO is currently the only organization approved by the Vietnam Civil Aviation Authority to
train and issue B1/B2 certificates in Vietnam.
A B1 license focuses on airframes and engines while a B2 license is related to instrumentation
and electronic equipment. Holders of category B licenses are involved in all the necessary repair
and maintenance tasks of an aircraft. Those having the certificates are eligible to maintain the
following types of aircraft: Airbus A350, A330, A320/321; Boeing B787, B777; and ATR72.
USTH is currently the only university to cooperate with the aviation businesses in this program.
Pham Minh Hiep, Deputy General Director of VAECO, said that students at the school only take
about four years to both have a bachelor's degree and a B1/B2 certificate, thanks to the new
agreement.
Link: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/education/hanoi-university-joins-hands-with-vietnam-
airlines-to-shorten-aviation-engineering-training-4719548.html

14. ISHCMC events to explain exceptional educational programs

International School Ho Chi Minh City (ISHCMC) will be hosting two engaging events designed
to provide deep insights into its exceptional educational offerings on March 14-15.
ISHCMC's Primary Principal will discuss innovative teaching methods for curiosity, creativity,
and critical thinking, followed by an Intensive English Language Program webinar.
The first event will give parents a deeper understanding of their inquiry-based educational
approach. "Coffee with ISHCMC's Primary Principal," at 8:30 a.m. (ICT) on March 14, is an
exclusive morning with Primary Principal - Kate Grant, which will discuss how ISHCMC
nurtures curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking through its innovative teaching methods.
This is an opportunity for parents to learn more about ISHCMC's educational philosophy, meet
the Primary Principal in a casual setting, and discover how their approach can benefit their
child's learning journey.
"Coffee with ISHCMC's Primary Principal" will also highlight the seamless integration of
programs like the Intensive English Language Program (IELP) into the broader educational
framework, showcase their commitment to providing an inclusive, supportive, and enriching
environment for every student. It's a chance for parents considering ISHCMC for their child's
education to ask questions, engage with leadership, and experience the warmth and inclusivity of
the school community firsthand.
Whether their interest lies in the immediate transition into mainstream education or in preparing
for a future where the child can excel in a global setting, "Coffee with ISHCMC's Primary
Principal" is an opportunity to connect and learn more.
Link: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/education/ishcmc-events-to-explain-exceptional-
educational-programs-4718962.html

15. Student shares tips on securing job offers in Australia

A Vietnamese student in Australia said the key for securing job offers is early application
preparation, as well as showing tangible numbers and results in interviews.
Bui Nhu Hoang Ha, 27, graduated from Deakin University and is currently working as a business
data analyst at Bunnings Group, a major retail corporation for interior design in Australia and
New Zealand with over 53,000 employees.
Previously, she had applied for 100 jobs and secured offers at several of them.
Ha said there are two main waves of recruitment in Australia, with the first wave from January to
March, and the second from June to September. Applicants would typically send in their CV,
take online tests, do video interviews and finally a face-to-face interview.
She went on job-seeking platforms like LinkedIn, Seek, GradConnection and Glassdoor, as well
as taking notes of application deadlines, creating emails for job applications, and monitoring
updates to avoid missing out on any open position.
Ha uses the CV templates and tools that her school provides for her. She also participated in job
fairs to learn more about the job application process.
Ha said a CV should be contained within one page only to make it reader-friendly, with font
sizes at around 10-11. One should also use active verbs and showcase their leadership skills. She
paid special attention to how data is showcased to highlight the scale of her job and her
productivity, which is an opportunity to showcase her experience and capabilities.
Link: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/education/how-international-students-can-secure-job-offers-
in-australia-4718354.html

16. Australian International School offers up to $223,000 scholarships at Open Day

The Australian International School (AIS) will offer full scholarships worth up to VND5.5
billion (US$222,700) for excellent students in grades 7 to 12 at the Open Day on March 23.
Parents and students attending the AIS event will also have the opportunity to benefit from the
tuition incentive program, which offers savings of up to VND16.3 million for students.
AIS, located at 264 Mai Chi Tho, An Phu Ward, Thu Duc City, welcomes students from all over
the world and teaches from kindergarten to high school grades (2 to 18 years old).
The school has intensively invested in facilities for a comprehensive education program, helping
students develop on three main foundations: academics, arts, and sports.
Specifically, the school focuses on training life skills, critical thinking, creativity, and teamwork
in accordance with UNESCO's criteria, encouraging education systems to prioritize "happy
learning."
According to UNESCO's Happy Schools initiative, educational programs are encouraged to stay
balanced between physical and mental well-being.
"This is the reason AIS orients students to develop on three main foundations: academics, arts,
and sports," a school representative said.
Regarding academics, the school teaches globally recognized educational programs such as the
International Baccalaureate (IB) and International Secondary School Certificate of Cambridge
(IGCSE).
The school is also accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS), ensuring graduates
to receive globally recognized qualifications and knowledge.
Link: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/education/australian-international-school-offers-up-to-
223-000-scholarships-at-open-day-4718543.html

17. Philippine university's Taylor Swift course draws 300 students

A new course about the life and artistry of American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift at the
University of the Philippines (UP) has so far attracted 300 students.
The limited slots for the course, called "Celebrity Studies: Taylor Swift in Focus," were filled up
within minutes, prompting the administration to launch an extra class, according to a Reuters
report.
Opened last month by a media studies professor at the College of Mass Communication, the
course is considered the first in Asia about the superstar.
In the U.S., institutions like Harvard, Stanford, New York University and Berklee College of
Music have already introduced courses focusing on Swift, a 14-time Grammy Award winner,
covering her approach to songwriting and literary perspectives on her body of work, among
various subjects.
In a post published on the university's website, professor Cherish Aileen A. Brillon, who
launched the course, wrote: "A lot of foreign scholars study us, our cultural products, and our
discourses, so why can't we study theirs and put forth knowledge claims and pathways that come
from us being Filipinos existing and participating in a global stage?"
Saying her academic interests focus on political economy, Brillon added: "all these interests are
embodied by Taylor Swift, who is currently the biggest pop star we have today and if you are in
media studies and doing celebrity studies, you cannot ignore this."
Link https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/education/philippine-university-s-taylor-swift-course-
draws-300-students-4718616.html

18. International joint training becomes university trend

International training cooperation allows universities to expand opportunities to access quality
global education, while students have the opportunity to study at a reasonable cost, a seminar
will be held this coming weekend.
UWE Bristol@Phenikaa Campus Program is to host a seminar on transnational education and
leverage to improve the quality of education in Vietnam.
To be broadcast online on VnExpress on March 10, it has the aim of providing information about
joint programs and the quality of Vietnamese higher education.
Experts will also look at the importance of international cooperation in education, forms of
transnational educational training in Vietnam, and the original university program at UWE
Bristol@Phenikaa Campus.
According to the Ministry of Education and Training, as of September 2023, Vietnam has linked
educational training with more than 50 countries and territories, the top five being the United
Kingdom, the United States, France, Australia, and South Korea.
At the same time, there are more than 600 joint training programs between Vietnamese higher
education institutions and foreign higher education institutions, including over 90 programs with
U.K. universities alone.
The U.K. is currently the leading partner with the number of joint training programs in Vietnam,
according to data from the British Council in Vietnam.
Vietnam is also considered one of the largest transnational education markets in Southeast Asia
for the U.K., with more than 7,000 students enrolling, according to 2021 data.
Link: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/education/international-joint-training-becomes-
university-trend-4717413.html

19. South Korean students crowned champion at Asia Pacific programming contest
A team from the Seoul National University triumphed at the International Collegiate
Programming Contest (ICPC) Asia Pacific Championship as three gold medals were awarded to
teams from Singapore and Japan.
Team NewTrend from Seoul National University won the contest with nine problems solved on
the final round of the 2024 ICPC Asia Pacific Championship held in Hanoi on March 1 and 2.
Teams from the National University of Singapore, the University of Tokyo, and the University of
Kyoto bagged the gold medals.
The silver medals went to the Sudo team from Vietnam’s University of Engineering and
Technology (UET) under the Vietnam National University-Hanoi, and three other teams from
Tokyo Institute of Technology (Japan), Soongsil University (South Korea) and University of
Indonesia (Indonesia).
There were five teams winning bronze medals, including two teams from Vietnam’s University
of Science under the Vietnam National University-Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi University of
Science and Technology, along with teams from National Taiwan University, Pohang University
of Science and Technology (South Korea) and Nanyang University of Technology (Singapore).
The championship, hosted by UET, commenced on March 1 and attracted 65 teams from 40
universities across the region. They had to solve 13 algorithm problems. Sixteen top teams will
attend the 2024 ICPC World Championship which is scheduled to commence in Kazakhstan in
September this year.
Link: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/education/south-korean-students-crowned-champion-at-
asia-pacific-programming-contest-4718159.html

20. Japanese nursery offers free tutoring to Vietnamese children

An Osaka-based nursery is spearheading efforts to keep Vietnamese children from falling behind
academically due to language barriers.
Located in Ikuno Ward, a culturally diverse area of Japan's Osaka City, the Ikunokomorebi
Hoikuen nursery serves a substantial number of Vietnamese children, many of whom face
challenges with the Japanese language upon arrival in Japan.
Keiko Tsujimoto, the 72-year-old head of the nursery, in spring last year started a weekly 30-
minute Japanese study session for preschoolers who need help with the language, according to
Kyodo News.
About 10 children participate regularly, learning basic Japanese phonetics and vocabulary.
The nursery's diverse environment is reflected in its activities, including meals like pho, a
Vietnamese typical noodle dish, which helps children bond over shared cultural experiences.
Ikuno Ward, with its affordable living costs and employment opportunities in small factories and
warehouses, attracts many Vietnamese migrants, and the number of children of Vietnamese
descent surged three years ago.
The nursery, which caters to nearly half Vietnamese children among its 98 preschoolers, also
serves Chinese and Korean children.
Vietnamese constitute the largest percentage of the foreign workforce in Japan, followed by
Chinese and Filipino workers, according to Japan's labor ministry.
By October 2023, Japan had over 2,048,600 foreign workers in the country, an increase of
around 226,000 workers compared to the same period in 2022.
Link: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/education/japanese-nursery-offers-free-tutoring-to-
vietnamese-children-4716790.html

21. New policies shifting international students away from Australia, Canada, UK: reports
The landscape of international education is undergoing significant transformations as Australia,
Canada, and the U.K., three of the most sought-after study-abroad destinations, implement new
international education policies.
A study titled "The Voice of the International Student" conducted in January by IDP Education
across 67 countries with 2,500 student respondents reveals a shift in student preferences, with an
increased interest in the U.S. as a study destination, ICEF Monitor reported.
The site that focuses on international education and student travel industry also cited a research
this month by Studyportals, a Dutch company involved in providing an online education
opportunity platform, as indicating a significant decline in student interest in Canada for 2023,
with a corresponding rise in attraction towards the U.S. and Italy.
The Netherlands experienced a resurgence in interest heading into 2024, which may wane due to
plans by Dutch universities to cut back on international student admissions and English-taught
programs.
The IDP survey shows that nearly half of prospective students are reevaluating or uncertain
about their plans to study in the U.K. (49%), Australia (47%), and Canada (43%), with the U.S.
emerging as a more favorable alternative for those deterred by the policies in these countries.
Link: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/education/new-policies-shifting-international-students-
away-from-australia-canada-uk-reports-4717657.html

22. Australia approves record low number of student visas

Australian universities are witnessing a surge in international student applications but a
government crackdown has led to record low student visa approval rates.
The approval rate for student visa applications was consistently above 90% between 2006 and
2022, according to official data of the Australian government.
However, it dropped to 86% for the 2021-2022 school year and then fell to the record level of
81.5% for 2023-2024.
ICEF Monitor, an international education information site, said in a new report that predictions
based on these approval rates suggest that Australia might see about 90,000 fewer student visa
holders this school year compared to last school year.
The Australian government for the last few years has been rolling out more stringent study visa
regulations to curb the entry of 'non-genuine' students into the country.
During the 2022-23 period, over 510,000 migrants, including 270,000 international students,
arrived in Australia, a significant rise from the 170,000 international students recorded pre-
pandemic in 2018-2019.
According to government data, there were 768,000 students in Australia between January and
October last year, marking a 29% increase from the previous year.
The influx is reported to have contributed to a housing crisis, exacerbating cost-of-living
pressures and causing growing discontent among Australians.
A Reuters report last December said the country would "tighten visa rules for international
students and low-skilled workers, as the government looks to overhaul what it said was a
‘broken’ migration system."
Link: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/education/australia-approves-record-low-number-of-
student-visas-4717587.html

23. Dodgy publications boost China’s science stature

China’s universities just grabbed 8 of the top 10 spots in one worldwide science ranking –
without changing a thing.
University leaders pay close attention to comparative rankings such as those offered by Times
Higher Education, ShanghaiRanking Consultancy and others. Rankings influence student
matriculation numbers, attract talented faculty and justify donations from wealthy donors.
University leaders rail against them, and some schools “withdraw” from them, but rankings are
influential.
A radical shift in the data underlying rankings is about to upend the rankings world – largely in
favor of China’s position.
For instance, in early 2024, the Leiden University Center for Science and Technology Studies
CWTS group issued new university rankings that add open-data sources to the traditional curated
list of elite journals that has been the standard. The results show a world turned upside down for
university rankings.
Where once the list of universities with the highest scientific impact would have been Oxford,
Stanford, Harvard and MIT, the new top 10 list of universities with high scientific impact
includes eight universities from China. In the West, only Harvard and the University of Toronto
garner top-10 spots.
What does this transformation mean for understanding scholarly excellence? I study the global
research system and its contribution to social welfare. China’s swift progress in science and
technology, propelled by investments in research and university strength, has alarmed the United
States and other nations. Concerns are mounting that the US may be losing its competitive
advantage to an assertive rival, with potential implications for national security, economic
standing and global influence.
Link: https://asiatimes.com/2024/04/dodgy-publications-boost-chinas-science-stature/
 24. 5 new rules in Australia student visa policy overhaul
Australia has announced a series of amendments to its visa policy for international students
aimed at enhancing the quality of its education system and ensuring the welfare of the students.
This move, expected to have a profound impact on the global student community, underscores
Australia's commitment to maintaining its status as a premier destination for higher education.
Here's a recap of what have been changed so far, as announced by Australia's Department of
Home Affairs and Department of Education.
Increase in financial proof
The Australian government has stipulated an increase in the minimum savings requirement for
obtaining a student visa.
As of October last year, international students are required to demonstrate savings amounting to
AUD$24,505 (US$15,943), a 17% surge from the previous level.
Stricter assessment
Prospective students must now pass a Genuine Student Test (GST), a measure introduced by the
Australian government last November as part of its visa application process for international
students.
This new test is designed to assess whether applicants genuinely intend to stay in Australia
temporarily for the purpose of study. The GST replaces the previous Genuine Temporary Entrant
requirement. It aims at distinguishing and favoring those most likely to have the primary purpose
of studying rather than working and contribute needed skills to the Australian economy.
In effect, students pursuing lower levels of credential are those most likely to be refused a visa.
Higher English levels
The English proficiency requirement for undergraduate international students increased from
IELTS 5.5 to 6 and for postgraduate programs, from 6 to 6.5.
Link: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/education/5-new-rules-in-australia-student-visa-policy-
overhaul-4717169.html

25. Australia rejects 16% of Vietnamese student visa applications with tough immigration
policies
About 16% of Vietnamese student visa applications to Australia were rejected in the second half
of 2023 as the country denies international students at record-high levels.
Since the latter half of 2023, Australia has been introducing a slew of policies to limit
immigration, including international students looking to enter the country for work.
Around 19% of these students were not granted visas during the period, the highest rate seen in
the last three years, according to Australia's Ministry for Home Affairs.
If such a situation continues, there would be around 91,000 international students being granted
visa to study in Australia for the 2023-2024 school year, a 15% drop from last year, according to
international education website ICEF Monitor.
Previously, the rejection rate was 10% in the 2018-2019 school year, 8.5% in the 2021-2022
school year when Australia reopened its borders post-Covid, and 14% in the 2022-2023 school
year.
Despite lower rates of visa being granted in recent months, Vietnamese students are still getting
their visa applications to Australia being granted at high rates, international education firm IDP
said.
In the latter half of 2023, around 84% of visa applications from Vietnamese students have been
accepted on average. Meanwhile, the rate was only at 68% for those from India, and 52% for
those from Pakistan.
Lu Thi Hong Nham, director of international education company Duc Anh, said Vietnamese
students have had higher rates of visa acceptance as most of them have serious intent to study
abroad and have transparent academic and financial profiles.
Link: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/education/84-of-vietnamese-students-granted-visa-into-
australia-amid-tough-immigration-policies-4717072.html

26. European International School: a gateway to prestigious global universities

The European International School (EIS) stands out as a beacon of academic excellence in Ho
Chi Minh city, offering the internationally acclaimed International Baccalaureate (IB) program.
EIS provides its students unparalleled opportunities to forge connections with some of the
world's most prestigious universities, ensuring they are ideally positioned in the competitive
landscape of global higher education.
EIS proudly affiliates with Inspired, a leading global network of premium schools, enhancing its
educational offerings with exclusive collaborations with front-runners in university admission
consulting in the United States and the United Kingdom. This partnership enables EIS to offer
both standardized and tailored educational pathways, significantly enhancing students' prospects
of gaining admission to top-tier universities.
'Dedicated to guiding students through the labyrinth of international university admissions, EIS
offers personalized counseling sessions with seasoned academic advisors throughout their high
school journey. This meticulous approach ensures that students are well-prepared to navigate the
complexities of applying to the world's leading universities, equipping them with a broad
spectrum of educational and vocational opportunities.
The school's legacy of excellence is further underscored by its alumni's achievements, including
securing scholarships at illustrious universities such as Kings College London, University of
Toronto, University of Amsterdam, and Savannah College of Arts and Design.
Link: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/education/european-international-school-a-gateway-to-
prestigious-global-universities-4715481.html

27. Using the IELTS for high school admission is unfair: education ministry
Inferring advantages for students with IELTS scores in the high school admission process may
breed inequality, as not everyone has the means to study and take the test, the education ministry
said.
Nguyen Xuan Thanh, head of the Department of Secondary Education under the Ministry of
Education and Training, said there are four groups of students eligible for high school admission
without taking the entrance exams in accordance with regulations from 2014: students at ethnic
minority boarding schools; students of ethnic minorities; disabled students; and students with
national prizes regarding culture, art, sports and science.
Certain other student groups get bonus points during the admission process, including children of
war martyrs and invalids, as well as those living in areas with dire socioeconomic circumstances.
While localities get to decide on plans for admissions, whether students can be directly admitted
or be prioritized fall under the ministry’s discretion.
Thanh said adding points for students with IELTS scores was one example of potentially
breeding inequality.
"Within the same locality, students in downtown areas will find it easier to study for and take
tests for foreign language certificates. On the other hand, in areas with dire economic
circumstances, even when one studies foreign languages well, they will be met with challenges
when it comes to traveling to testing sites or preparing the money to take the test. As such, using
foreign language certificates for admission is unfair," he said.
Link: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/education/using-the-ielts-for-high-school-admission-is-unfair-
education-ministry-4716310.html

28. Australia ends two-year extension of post-study work rights for international students
Starting the middle of this year, Australia will adjust its post-study work rights policy for
international students, reducing the duration international graduates can stay in the country for
work purposes.
Previously, the Australian government had extended the post-study work visa durations for
undergraduates, master's, and PhD students in selected programs, allowing them to stay for up to
4-6 years depending on their level of study.
These durations will now revert to the original 2-3 years, according to the announcement made
by the Australia's Department of Education last week.
Australia announced plans to apply the extended post-study work rights for international
graduates starting July 1 last year, providing graduates with degrees in select areas of verified
skill shortage an additional two years on their Temporary Graduate visa, with an aim to
"strengthen the pipeline to skilled work."
The extension is in addition to the existing additional one to two years of post-study work rights
available to eligible students who study, live and work in regional areas.
Now, that policy has been reconsidered given Australia's changed economic environment and
additional considerations.
As such, international higher education graduates will no longer be able to apply for the
extension from mid-2024.
The latest decision comes as part of a broader migration strategy by the Australian government,
aiming to improve the integrity and quality of international education.
Link: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/education/australia-ends-two-year-extension-of-post-
study-work-rights-for-international-students-4716451.html
 29. IELTS not suitable for high school admission: experts
Several education experts said the IELTS test is not suitable for high school admission, as it is
not recommended for people aged under 16.
Over the last few years, some Vietnamese localities have begun to use IELTS scores as a
criterion to be considered in the high school admission process. Students can use their IELTS
scores to either be directly admitted, get bonus points for school admission, or have the IELTS
scores be converted to an English score for the admission process. IELTS scores of 4.0-5.0 were
often converted into the English exam score of 9 or 10 out of 10.
The Ministry of Education and Training late last week instructed schools not to use IELTS
scores in the high school admission process. In accordance with regulations by the ministry,
students with IELTS scores or other foreign language proficiency test scores have no advantage
over other students in the admission process.
While several localities believed that including IELTS results in the admission process would
relieve the pressure of examination and encourage students to study foreign languages, Lai Thi
Phuong Thao, deputy headmistress of the Foreign Language Specialized School, said the
education ministry made the right decision.
Thao said the IELTS by itself is inappropriate to be used as a criterion for high school admission,
as it is not age-appropriate.
“IELTS has no age requirements for learners, but is not recommended for students under 16,"
she said.
Link: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/education/the-ielts-is-not-suitable-for-high-school-admission-
experts-4715915.html

30. Canada's new study visa regulation not affecting Vietnamese students: insider
Canada's decision to limit study visas starting from 2024 will not have a significant impact on
Vietnamese students, said Vu Thi Hai Anh, an immigration consultant.
According to Anh, Senior Regional Manager in Southeast Asia at Algonquin College of Canada,
the new policy will not decrease the number of Vietnamese students in Canada but only help
them adjust their study plans and choose programs that better suit their demand, as well as meet
labor requirements in the North American nation.
Statistics show that about 21,000 Vietnamese students are studying in various fields and at all
levels across Canada. Algonquin College currently has approximately 200 Vietnamese students
with their stay ranging from 2 - 4 years in such fields as information technology, health care, and
communications.
Canada has introduced a series of changes in its student visa policies as the number of
international students reached a record high of 1 million last year, including about 560,000 cases
of newly-issued study permits.
The Canadian government explained that implementing restrictions on study visas is aimed at
eliminating substandard educational institutions that exploit the international student programme
to increase enrollment and charge high tuition fees while their infrastructure resources are
limited.
It said restrictions on study visas will only apply to college and undergraduate levels, and will
not affect high school students or those enrolled in graduate or doctoral programmes. It is
expected that the number of new study permits issued this year will decrease by about 35%,
down to 364,000.
Link: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/education/canada-s-new-study-visa-regulation-not-affecting-
vietnamese-students-insider-4716382.html

31. Digital classes to ease teacher shortage in HCMC

The digital class model is expected to help HCMC ease the shortage of teachers at all levels of
education.
Nguyen Bao Quoc, deputy director of the city’s Department of Education and Training, said the
city piloted the digital class model at Thanh An Primary School in Can Gio district and at Trung
Lap Thuong Primary School in Cu Chi district in the 2022-23 school year.
It offered a total of 104 English classes and 62 Informatics classes.
"The digital classroom model is one of the city’s solutions to enhance the application of
information technology and digital transformation in education and training, while bringing
excitement and joy to students," he said.
It has initially met the requirements of teaching and developing student qualities and abilities
according to the 2018 general education curriculum.
In order to organize digital classes at the above-mentioned two schools, the teachers in charge of
the classes were selected and trained by the Department of Education and Training.
They met the requirements of having good working skills in a digital environment, and being
able to apply many teaching methods to create more excitement for students.
The digital classes have teaching assistants who directly guide students during the lessons.
Le Ngoc Gia Vy, a fourth-grade student of Class 4/1 at Thanh An Primary School, said the music
lesson was opened online with the introduction of new classmates and teachers.
Vy said that she studies with her friends at Trung Lap Thuong Primary School, so she’s both
happy and nervous.
Link: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/education/digital-classes-to-ease-teacher-shortage-in-
hcmc-4715374.html

32. Vietnamese students in Singapore hold career fair

The Vietnamese Youth Alliance in Singapore held a career fair on Feb. 24-25, aiming to provide
support for Vietnamese students in the country to seize job opportunities and have better career
orientations.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Singapore Mai Phuoc Dung, representatives from Kaplan Singapore,
Vietnamese experts, and more than 200 Vietnamese students attended the event.
The students attended a workshop on building a personal brand at the event, and joined a "Coffee
Chat" with 20 speakers who have years of experiences working at prestigious corporations in
Singapore.
Ambassador Dung highly valued the benefits that the career fair brings to the Vietnamese student
community in Singapore. He expressed his hope that the young generation of Vietnam will
develop strongly not only in Singapore, but also wherever they study and work in the world.
Career Fair is organized annually by the Vietnamese Youth Alliance in Singapore to provide
opportunities for students to expand their job network, meet industry experts, and gain
experience for future job interviews.
Link: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/education/vietnamese-students-in-singapore-hold-
career-fair-4715355.html

33. Ministry calls halt to high school admissions using IELTS

The Ministry of Education and Training has called on provinces and cities to stop giving priority
to candidates with IELTS certificates for admission to 10th grade.
In a notice it sent Friday it said some localities had included "regulations-violating" content for
grade 10 admissions at public schools.
It was a reference to the fact a handful of them offer admissions without exams or bonus points
to candidates who have won provincial-level excellent student awards or possess foreign
language certificates.
The ministry called on people's committees to correctly implement the admissions regulations
for lower and upper secondary education it had issued in 2019.
"[Those] that do not comply with the regulations on direct admissions and priority regimes must
make adjustments and publicly announce them."
It would inspect and audit the grade 10 admissions process in those localities, it added.
Candidates can be admitted to grade 10 in public schools without exams only if they belong to
one of four groups: those who studied in ethnic boarding schools, are members of very small
ethnic groups, individuals with disabilities, or winners of national or international awards in
culture, arts, physical education, sports, science, and technology.
If they are children of martyrs, wounded or sick soldiers, people affected by chemical toxins, or
labor heroes, police or military force members, or hail from economically and socially
disadvantaged areas, they receive bonus points as determined by each locality.
Link: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/education/ministry-calls-halt-to-high-school-
admissions-using-ielts-4714657.html

34. Hanoi principal to build school in one of Vietnam's poorest district

A Hanoi principal will spend VND100 billion (US$4 million) building a school for minority
students in Meo Vac, a poor, mountainous district in the northernmost border province of Ha
Giang.
"Giving a school to a northern border area has been my wish for a long time," the capital's Marie
Curie School principal Nguyen Xuan Khang said as he announced the plan Tuesday.
Khang, 75, revealed that the new school, named Marie Curie Ethnic Boarding School - Meo Vac,
would be located on a 1.5-hectare site in the district town's center.
Later this year, Marie Cuire, Hanoi's top private school, plans to send three architects to Meo
Vac to survey, design, and prepare documentation for the project.
Construction of the new school is expected to begin in 2025 for completed in July 2026. The
goal is to have the facility ready to enroll its first class for the 2026-2027 academic year.
The construction cost is estimated at about VND100 billion, funded by Khang.
The district's People's Committee will allocate funds to purchase equipment for the students'
boarding needs.
"This is the first time the district has received a full investment and sponsorship from an
individual to build a school," said Ngo Manh Cuong, Vice Chairman of Meo Vac District
People's Committee.
Chairman Cuong said the district had previously mulled plans to build another boarding school
due to the rapid increase in student numbers, but "could not afford it."
Link: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/education/hanoi-principal-to-build-school-in-one-of-
vietnam-s-poorest-district-4713453.html

35. 1,000 Vietnamese students bound for Russia in 2024

The Ministry of Education and Training has announced the admission of 1,000 students to study
in Russia in 2024 under a scholarship agreement signed between the two countries.
Accordingly, the Russian government has granted 1,000 scholarships to Vietnamese citizens to
pursue study in various fields at universities and research institutes, including undergraduate,
master's, and doctoral degrees, as well as specialized internships and Russian language courses.
Applicants for the scholarships include 12th graders, first-year university students, and
individuals with undergraduate, master's, and doctoral degrees who meet the requirements of the
scholarship program.
Those who have previously studied in Russia learned the Russian language in Vietnam, or
possess international Russian language certificates will be prioritized for the program.
Applicants must meet all general requirements regarding political and moral integrity and have
sufficient health for studying abroad. They must not have registered for any other scholarship
programs at the same time as this announcement.
They must commit to completing the training program and returning to serve at the sending
institutions or as required by the state.
Successful candidates will begin their studies in Russia in October 2024.
Link: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/education/1-000-vietnamese-students-bound-for-russia-
in-2024-4714375.html

36. Expat teachers complete 2,000-km walk to raise funds for underprivileged children
Two teachers from Australia and Ireland will finish a Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh City trek this
Saturday after three months, during which they have raised US$35,000 to support charity
foundations dedicated to children in Vietnam.
Australian Jake Norris, 37, and Irishman Sean Down, 45, started "Vietnam Charity Walk: A
Walk For Change" late last year when they left Hanoi on Dec. 2 to walk 2,000 km to HCMC.
The duo decided to take a mountainous route that has likely never been attempted before.
Their ambitious initiative, sponsored by the Australian embassy as part of a commitment to fight
trafficking and to mark the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations, has captured the
attention and support of individuals, companies, and communities around the globe.
The pair’s mission has been to raise funds to support Thanh Loc Project, which focuses on
providing education, housing, food, water, and shelter to underprivileged children in Vietnam,
and Blue Dragon Children's Foundation, which works to combat human trafficking, as well as to
rescue and support Vietnamese street kids.
To date, the campaign has raised more than $35,000, and with still upcoming fundraising events
that also receive support via gogetfunding.com/vietnam-charity-walk/.
Norris, who has lived in Hanoi for seven years and visits an orphanage every year, thought of a
charity walk during the Covid-19 lockdown three years ago.
"I wanted to give back to the country and its people who have given me so much," he said, as
cited by a statement from the Australian embassy.
Link: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/education/expat-teachers-complete-2-000-km-walk-to-
raise-funds-for-underprivileged-children-4714117.html

37. Australian universities cancel offers of enrollment to international students

Eight Australian universities, both public and private, have canceled admission offers for
international students amid the government tightening student visas to reduce immigration.
Western Sydney University, Macquarie, Wollongong, Latrobe, Deakin, Central Queensland,
Edith Cowan, and Kaplan Business School (KBS) have recently sent notifications to cancel
admissions or request withdrawal of applications to international students and recruitment
agents.
The eight institutions stated that all fees paid by the candidates would be refunded.
"You recently received an email from the University of Wollongong [UOW] noting that you
have been issued with a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) to commence your studies in the
Autumn 2024 session, but had not received a visa. In order to assist you to achieve the best
outcome for your future, you were given the option to either withdraw your offer and receive a
refund, or defer your offer," an email from the University of Wollongong to an applicant reads.
"Unfortunately, the Australian Government has recently implemented substantial changes to its
migration strategy. Given those changes, the close commencement of your preferred intake, and
the fact that have not received a visa outcome as yet, UOW has determined that you are unlikely
to meet the new criteria to obtain a positive visa outcome."
The move stems from the new immigration policy of the Australian Department of Home
Affairs, which was announced last December to rank universities based on their risk level.
Link: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/education/australian-universities-cancel-offers-of-
enrollment-to-international-students-4712973.html

38. Vietnam leads Southeast Asia in sending students abroad: report

Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia in that order top the list of Southeast Asian countries with
students abroad.
The 2024 Key Trends in Southeast Asia report by Acumen, an international education
consultant, showed that more than 350,000 students from Southeast Asia were studying abroad
in 2022, making it the third largest region globally for outbound student mobility after China and
India.
Within the region, Vietnam had by far the largest number of outbound students, 132,000,
followed by Indonesia and Malaysia with 56,000 each and Thailand with 32,000.
The top two destinations for Vietnamese students were Japan with over 44,100 and South Korea
with nearly 25,000, the report, which used data from the United Nations Educational, Scientific
and Cultural Organization, said.
Students from Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand mostly chose the U.K. and Australia.
In the U.S. too, Vietnamese students led Southeast Asia at over 23,100.
Other top countries for Vietnamese studying abroad were Australia (14,100) and Canada (9,000).
China is not listed in the UNESCO data but is also a top destination for Southeast Asian students.
The Chinese government has not released international student data after 2019, when the country
received 28,600 students from Thailand, 15,000 from Indonesia, 11,300 from Vietnam, and
9,500 from Malaysia.
Acumen's report shows western countries face more competition from Japan, South Korea and
China in attracting Southeast Asian students.
Japan’s goal is to increase its international enrollment to 400,000 by 2027, and South Korea's is
300,000, and both East Asian powerhouses promise more job opportunities for foreign graduates.
Link: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/education/vietnam-leads-southeast-asia-in-sending-
students-abroad-report-4712366.html

39. HCMC, Son La chosen as UNESCO learning cities

Ho Chi Minh City and Son La in the north have become members of UNESCO's Global
Network of Learning Cities, raising the number of members from Vietnam to five.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) announced on
Wednesday a list of 64 cities from 35 countries recognized as members of the Global Network of
Learning Cities (GNLC) "in recognition of their outstanding efforts to make lifelong learning a
reality for all at the local level."
On the list are HCMC, the largest city in Vietnam and is an important national economic and
cultural hub, and Son La, the capital city of the northwestern Son La Province.
According to UNESCO, HCMC’s lifelong learning vision aims to cultivate an inclusive and
modern educational environment supported by digital technologies.
In the medium term, the city seeks to ensure literacy and basic skills for all, promote digital
learning and maintain effective community-based learning models.
Long-term goals include providing equal access to diverse, flexible educational systems and
fostering digital and global learning citizens. Under the UNESCO GNLC framework, the city
will focus on gaining international recognition, mobilizing resources to promote lifelong learning
opportunities, and engaging in global knowledge exchanges.
Meanwhile, Son La aims to be a lifelong learning hub with a focus on increasing the quality of
education, improving literacy and embracing digital technology. Medium to long-term goals
include implementing community-based learning models and fostering public-private
partnerships.
Link: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/education/hcmc-son-la-chosen-as-unesco-learning-
cities-4712136.html

40. University exceeds admission quota over 700%, violates myriad regulations
A university in northern Vietnam recruited up to 600-700% over its admissions quota and
accepted a student who had not graduated from high school while also failing to produce valid
teaching materials.
In late January, inspectors from the Ministry of Education and Training announced the
conclusion of an investigation that had uncovered a series of violations at the private Trung
Vuong University in Vinh Phuc Province during the 2020-2022 period.
For one, university admissions staff recruited many times over its quota in several departments.
In 2020, for example, in the Department of Business and Management, and the Department of
Law, the university recruited nearly 750 students, an excess of 647% when only 100 were
needed for a full student cohort.
In 2022, the Nursing Department enrolled more than 500 students, exceeding its quota by 737%.
According to regulations, universities are autonomous and responsible for determining their
admission quotas and making them public. However, this should not exceed the institution’s
capacity and must meet all training conditions dictated by education ministry regulations.
Universities will be penalized if they recruit over 3% of their quota. The maximum fine is
VND70 million (US$2,860) if exceeding by more than 20%. No university has ever been found
exceeding its quotas at such a high rate as Trung Vuong University.
When inspecting student records for the Nursing Department at the university, the ministry found
a regular student without a high school diploma while three other students did not meet the
minimum level of high school education.
Link: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/education/university-exceeds-admission-quota-over-
700-violates-myriad-regulations-4709951.html
 41. Vietnam National University, Hanoi takes leap in Webometrics list
The Vietnam National University, Hanoi ranked 649th in the latest Webometrics Ranking of
World Universities 2024, placing at the 11th position in Southeast Asia and 140th in Asia.
In terms of impact rank, the VNU, Hanoi entered the top 500 for the first time, ranking at the
495th position.
With the new position, the VNU, Hanoi stood at the first place in Vietnam, according to the
ranking issued by the Cybermetrics Lab of the Spanish National Research Council on February
2024.
In the latest list, the VNU, Hanoi was also present together with some other educational
institutions of Vietnam, including Ton Duc Thang University (1,054th), Duy Tan University
(1,115th), Nguyen Tat Thanh (1,189th), Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology – Vietnam
National University, Ho Chi Minh City (1,712th), Da Nang (2,057th), Can Tho University
(2,068th), Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry (2,092nd).
The Webometrics list, published twice a year, assesses the digitalization capacity and impact of
higher education institutions' academic resources based on the volume of the website content, the
visibility and impact of their website publications, the openness of academic resources on
Google Scholar, and the number of citations they received on the Scopus database.
In this edition, Webometrics maintained the January 2021’s ranking method. Particularly, the
"Presence" indicator was discontinued, other indicators including "Visibility" weighted the
highest with 50%, "Excellence" weighted 40% and "Transparency" accounted for 10%.
Link: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/education/vietnam-national-university-hanoi-takes-leap-
in-webometrics-list-4709736.html

42. South Australia halts central Vietnam students' admittance amid disappearances
The South Australia Education Department has stopped receiving applications from students in
Nghe An, Ha Tinh and Quang Binh following the disappearances of several students from the
central Vietnam provinces.
The education department of the Australian state on Monday said the decision was made after
authorities took a look at the hometowns of the students who had abandoned their studies.
A representative from the department said the decision falls in line with the law on education
services for foreign students, and the decision helps to preserve the integrity of the Australian
visa system. Applications from students in other parts of Vietnam will still be processed
normally, the representative added.
In January, a Vietnamese student named Sunnie Nguyen, 17, was reported missing by her host
after dinner, adding that her bags, clothes, laptop and personal documents disappeared with her.
Sunnie’s phone was turned off, and all her social media accounts were inactive.
Australian authorities said Sunnie was the fourth Vietnamese student to disappear this way in
South Australia since December 2023.
"There is no information or evidence uncovered to date which would indicate they are in
immediate danger," the education department's representative said.
Police said the students might be actively avoiding authorities’ detection, adding that
investigators are cooperating with other entities to find the students and ensure their safety.
Nguyen Duc Quyet, CEO of Rightway Study Abroad and Immigration Consulting Company,
said he had never seen such a heavy-handed measure from the department.
Link: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/education/south-australia-stops-receiving-students-from-
central-vietnam-localities-4709126.html

43. Vietnamese student wins $67,000 American fellowship for antibiotics work
A Vietnamese student in the U.S. has been awarded a research grant of $67,000 by the American
Heart Association (AHA) for refining an enzyme towards developing new antibiotics.
Nguyen Xuan Bach, 24, a native of Hai Phong City in northern Vietnam, is currently a third-year
biochemistry PhD student at Duke University's School of Medicine.
In December 2023, Bach received a research award of $67,388 from the AHA for his project on
developing new antibiotics.
Bach came to the U.S. in the fall of 2021 after completing a bachelor's degree in chemistry at
Nagoya University, Japan.
He then received PhD scholarships from seven universities including Harvard, Cornell, Duke in
the U.S., Oxford in the U.K., and British Columbia in Canada, ranging from $500,000 to
$672,000 for five-six years. He chose Duke because he was impressed by the university's
reputation for biomedical sciences, which aligns with his research interests.
In his first year of the PhD program, Bach explored various laboratories and worked with
professors to find a suitable research project. He eventually joined a study on the synthesis
process of a new antibiotic with his mentor, Professor Kenichi Yokoyama.
He explained that gram-negative bacteria, which are resistant to multiple drugs and are
increasingly resistant to most available antibiotics, have become a serious issue in medicine.
Gram-negative bacterial infections cause severe complications and devastating consequences on
the cardiovascular system via several critical pathways, he said.
When bacteria become resistant to antibiotics, the effectiveness of treatment can be reduced or
even nullified.
Link: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/education/vietnamese-student-wins-67-000-american-
fellowship-for-antibiotics-work-4704543.html

44. Vietnam requires native English teachers to go through 120-hour training program
The education ministry has requested foreigners teaching English at language centers in Vietnam
to complete a training program, focusing on pedagogical skills.
Vu Minh Duc, head of the Teacher and Education Management Officials Department under the
Ministry of Education and Training, said Tuesday that the program, which was introduced last
month, aims to improve the quality of language teaching and learning in Vietnam.
Teachers at foreign language centers who must participate in this program include native English
speakers, foreigners with an associate degree in English, or an associate degree along with a
foreign language proficiency certificate of level 5 or higher according to the six-level foreign
language competency framework used in Vietnam or equivalent.
Level 5 is compatible with the C1 level in the Common European Framework of Reference for
Languages.
The program consists of 11 topics that will cover a total of 160 periods lasting 45 minutes each.
Its core content includes basic knowledge about the Vietnamese context and culture, the
Vietnamese education system, as well as regulations on teaching and learning in Vietnam.
Participants will also learn English language teaching methods, teaching methods for Vietnamese
children and teenagers, assessment methods, and the application of information technology and
development of teaching materials in English language teaching.
Following the program's introduction, some English language centers that employ foreign
teachers have been left confused about whether their teachers are required to participate in the
program and obtain the certification.
Link: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/education/vietnam-requires-native-english-teachers-to-
go-through-120-hour-training-program-4704636.html

45. Hundreds of thousands of students stay home amid cold wave

Hundreds of thousands of students in northern Vietnam stayed home on Wednesday as an intense
cold wave plunged temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius.
All 25 northern Vietnam localities recorded temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius Wednesday
morning, a drop of 0.5-2 degrees from Tuesday. Lang Son’s Mau Son recorded the lowest
temperatures at minus 2.9 degrees, with eight other locations recording temperatures below 5
degrees: Ha Giang’s Dong Van and Vinh Phuc’s Tam Dao at 1 degree; Dien Bien’s Pha Din and
Lao Cai’s Sa Pa at 2 degrees; Son La’s Moc Chau, Bac Kan’s Ngan Son and Cao Bang’s Trung
Khanh at 3 degrees; and Lai Chau’s Sin Ho at 4 degrees.
The deep cold has forced tens of thousands of students in different localities to stay home.
Be Doan Trong, office head of the Lang Son education department, said several schools have
organized online classes for students.
A teacher in Ha Giang said if students keep staying home whenever it gets cold, they would not
be able to keep up with the curriculum.
"Right now, the temperatures are at 5 degrees, with only kindergarteners staying home and other
grades going to school. Classrooms are also equipped with layers of windows to keep the
students warm," the teacher said.
In other localities, where the weather is not as harsh, kindergarteners and primary school students
have been allowed to stay home once the temperatures fall below 10 degrees, and middle school
and high school students may stay home if temperatures drop below 7 degrees.
Link: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/education/hundreds-of-thousands-of-students-stay-home-
over-the-cold-4704688.html

46. Hanoi's kindergartens, primary schools shut amid cold wave

More than ten kindergartens and primary schools in Hanoi let students stay at home on Tuesday
as the city's temperatures have dipped below 10 degrees Celsius.
Hanoi recorded a low of 9.9 degrees Celsius at 6 a.m. on Tuesday as a severe cold wave has been
assaulting northern Vietnam, plunging temperatures in the plains below 10 degrees Celsius and
in mountainous areas below zero at night and early in the morning.
According to guidelines from Hanoi's Department of Education and Training, elementary
students are allowed to skip school when temperatures fall below 10 degrees Celsius, and
secondary students can do so if temperatures drop below 7 degrees.
The department advises schools to adjust class timings flexibly under cold conditions, even when
temperatures are above these thresholds.
Thanh Xuan Trung Elementary School in Thanh Xuan District was among the first to announce a
day off for students due to the cold wave. However, the school has made provisions for students
who cannot be supervised at home, offering care from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Kien Hung Elementary School and Van Khe Elementary School in Ha Dong District have
suspended classes, with a directive for schools to stay open for students needing supervision.
Tran Thi Quyen, Principal of Van Khe Elementary School, said that the school would maintain
daycare operations to assist families who need it. The school may also switch to online classes if
cold conditions persist, reminiscent of strategies adopted during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Link: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/education/hanoi-s-kindergartens-primary-schools-shut-
amid-cold-wave-4703981.html

47. BIS Hanoi student attending MIT-Nord Anglia STEAM trip

As part of the Nord Anglia family, a BIS student has had the opportunity to learn about the best
of innovation at MIT.
Fifty students from Nord Anglia schools around the world, including Jung Hyeonchan, a year-10
student from the British International School in Hanoi, gathered at the Massachusetts Institute of
Technology (MIT) for a unique experience that brought to life the MIT-NAE STEAM
collaboration.
On the very first day of the trip, the students attended various workshops conducted by MIT
professors. These workshops covered a range of topics, including strobe photography and
unmanned boats.
On the second day, they interacted with PhD students, took part in the U.N.-style Climate Action
Simulation, and learned all about high-speed cameras, exoplanets, laser printing, and more. To
conclude their experience, the students worked on their sustainability projects using equipment
including 3D modeling software and 3D printers.
Hyeonchan was ecstatic about joining the trip. In order to participate in the trip, he had to
complete a challenge called "hack," which is one of MIT's traditions of practical jokes and
pranks that test technical aptitude. It was important to demonstrate his creativity, humor, and
technical skills to complete the challenge. Overall, he was delighted to have a valuable and
unforgettable experience.
Hyeonchan said that the students' enthusiasm was the most impressive thing about the trip.
Everyone was eager to learn and actively shared their thoughts and ideas on the topics discussed.
Link: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/education/bis-hanoi-student-attending-mit-nord-anglia-
steam-trip-4702799.html

48. Canada to cap international student permits amid housing crunch

Canada announced an immediate two-year cap on international student permits and said it would
also stop giving work permits to some postgraduate students as it seeks to rein in record numbers
of newcomers seen aggravating a housing crisis.
The cap is expected to result in approximately 360,000 approved study permits in 2024, a
decrease of 35% from 2023, according to a statement from the immigration ministry.
Immigration Minister Marc Miller said the main reason for the cap is to protect students who
attend private schools that provide inadequate services at high costs, but also to ease pressure on
housing and services.
"Some private institutions have taken advantage of international students by operating under-
resourced campuses, lacking supports for students and charging high tuition fees, all the while
significantly increasing their intake of international students," Miller told reporters.
"This increase is also putting pressure on housing, healthcare and other services," he said, adding
that fewer numbers would primarily help lower prices for rent.
Rapid population growth fueled by immigration has put pressure on services, like healthcare and
education, and has helped drive up housing costs. These issues have weighed on Liberal Prime
Minister Justin Trudeau's support, with polls showing he would lose an election if one were held
now.
In the third quarter of last year, the population grew at its fastest pace in more than six decades,
with non-permanent residents - mostly students - increasing by 312,758, the most in more than
five decades.
Link: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/education/canada-to-cap-international-student-permits-
amid-housing-crunch-4703865.html

49. HCMC sets sights on becoming Asian education hub

Ho Chi Minh City wants to become an advanced and integrated education hub for Asia under its
education development strategy for until 2030.
While it does not spell out specific criteria for "high quality" are, the people's committee has
outlined nine specific objectives to be achieved by 2030:
-Ensure a class size of 30-35 students at all levels
-Ensure 100% of primary schools, 70% of middle schools and 80% of high schools have two
sessions a day
-Ensure 80% of high school students can fluently communicate and learn in a foreign language,
100% of high school graduates have basic IT application skills and 50% achieve international
computer literacy standards.
-Ensure 100% of secondary school students are proficient in at least one art and play at least one
musical instrument and one sport.
-Have 60% of kindergartens, 80% of primary schools, 70% of middle schools, and 50% of public
high schools meet national standards in terms of facilities.
-Ensure each district has at least two schools at each level (kindergarten, primary, middle school,
high school) offering high-quality, advanced international integration programs.
-Target making 100% of schools in the city smart schools.
-Build four new high-quality multi-level schools in Thu Duc City, and Binh Chanh and Cu Chi
districts, each on a minimum area of five hectares.
-Reduce the number of educational staff paid by the city by 10% compared to 2021.
The city currently has nearly 1.7 million students, 90,000 teachers and more than 2,310 schools,
with only 15% meeting national standards.
Link: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/education/hcmc-sets-sights-on-becoming-asian-
education-hub-4702401.html

50. Vietnamese scientists build Olympian AI math model

Three Vietnamese scientists have helped create AI that is able to solve Olympiad geometry
problems as well as a human bronze medalist.
Trinh Hoang Trieu, 29, Luong Minh Thang, 36, and Le Viet Quoc, 42, collaborated to build the
AI system AlphaGeometry with a team of several other scientists. Trieu received his doctorate
from New York University, Thang’s is a Stanford University degree, and along with Quoc, all
three are AI experts at Google DeepMind.
AlphaGeometry was able to solve 25 out of 30 geometry problems used by the International
Mathematical Olympiads (IMO) of in 2000-2022 period, all within the standard time period.
A previous system developed in the 1970s, which was at the time thought to be the world’s
strongest geometry theorem prover, solved only 10, as reported by the New York Times. On
average, an IMO gold medalist can solve 25.9 problems, according to experts.
"This [AlphaGeometry’s Olympiad score] is something unimaginable," Quoc said on Thursday.
He explained that AI can solve one-step problems very well, but mathematical problems tend to
involve hundreds of steps before they can be solved.
An Olympiad typically presents six problems, including two geometry problems, meaning
AlphaGeometry can manage a third of those problems. The team responsible for building
AlphaGeometry has also claimed that it is first AI model in the world capable of solving more
problems than the bronze medalists of the IMO 2000 and 2015.
Link: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/education/vietnamese-scientists-build-ai-model-as-good-as-
math-olympics-champions-4702496.html

51. Ranked: 5 of 10 best European business schools are in France

Of Europe's top 10 business schools, five are in France, two from Spain and one each are in the
U.K., Italy and Sweden, according to the Financial Times' rankings.
The 2023 European Business School Rankings issued last month have HEC Paris on top
followed by the London Business School and the IESE Business School in Spain.
EMLyon Business School in France is a newcomer to the list and enters in 10th place.
The fees for 2024 admissions at the schools cost US$43,500-126,000 for a two-year course, with
the lowest tuition being at EMLyon Business School and the highest at the London Business
School.
Graduates from the top 10 schools last year are getting an average salary of $110,000-190,000 a
year, according to the Financial Times.
Students from the SDA Bocconi School of Management have the highest average salary.
The rankings are based on evaluations of several programs, including their MBAs, EMBAs and
the MiMs.
According to 2021 European Statistical Office (Eurostat) data, around 44% of international
students in the EU were pursuing master's degrees.
The most popular programs were business, management and law, with 21.7% of the students
pursuing them.
Link: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/education/five-of-10-best-european-business-schools-in-
france-ranking-4701470.html

52. HCMC wants more kindergarteners to study English

Municipal education leaders say the 57.4% of Ho Chi Minh City kindergartners studying English
is too low a figure, and local authorities aim to up the number.
According to the preschool unit under the city's Department of Education and Training, around
157,000 children aged three-six in HCMC are studying English at kindergartens in HCMC.
Luong Hong Diep, head of the unit, said a kindergarten English-teaching program was launched
in 2020 as a voluntary option parents could chose for their children.
After three years, the city now has 1,218 kindergartens teaching English, all equipped with the
proper facilities and tools to do so, thanks to the program.
About 3,200 teachers teach the language, including over 230 native English-speaking teachers
from 130 private language centers collaborating with the schools.
Diep said that through learning English at an early stage, children get to explore and understand
the world around them in various ways. They become more bold, and more confident in
communication, according to Diep.
"Children can familiarize themselves with their second language naturally by absorbing it
through games, songs and stories, instead of in constrained, obligatory classes," she said.
This also lays the foundation for better English learning in higher grades, Diep argued.
James Moran, Academic Director at EMG Education, said countries where English is considered
a second language, such as Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines introduce English to
preschool children alongside their mother tongue, and that Japan and South Korea have similar
programs for preschool children.
Link: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/education/hcmc-wants-more-kindergarteners-to-study-
english-4701673.html

53. US educator calls on parents to discipline kids at home

Parents should not leave the disciplining of their kids entirely to teachers, a U.S. educator has
said in a TikTok video.
In a clip that had over 70,700 views and 650 comments as of Wednesday, Teresa Kaye Newman,
a music educator, responding to a viewer's comment that traditional disciplinary methods no
longer work, said "parents refuse to tell their kids 'no' at home."
"Traditional methods of handling students just do not work anymore" and "only cause issues"
because parents themselves have issues with applying those methods at home, she said.
"When we talk about traditional methods of handling students and kids, we're not talking about
something traumatic or abusive or even groundbreaking. We're talking about simply setting
boundaries and holding boundaries as the adult in the room."
Newman said parents expect teachers to turn their children into some model citizen, but it's not
entirely the teachers' job.
She said parents would tend to think that the children are too young to understand stuff. But if a
child does not treat their parents, or workers in a shop or strangers on the street with respect, it's
because their parents have not taught them how.
The topic of kids' education has been hotly debated in Vietnam as well in light of recent
incidents of students misbehaving at school.
Link: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/education/us-educator-calls-on-parents-to-educate-kids-at-
home-4701650.html

54. High expectations a problem for Vietnamese returning with foreign degrees: experts
Vietnamese returning home after studying abroad often find it challenging to adapt to the
working environment possibly due to high expectations and low salaries, analysts say.
Nguyen Thi Hai Thanh of Apac Dao, a group of companies operating in the Web3 and
Blockchain sector across Asia, said the advantages returning students have are confidence,
language skills and open-mindedness.
Le Thanh Ngan, head of recruitment at FPT Education Organization, said students graduating
overseas generally have good English proficiency and a professional demeanor.
Both agreed they are also quick-witted, well-connected and possess critical thinking skills.
Yet they often face challenges when working in Vietnam, they said at the "Connect the Dots
2024" career fair organized by the British Council and the U.K. Alumni Association in Vietnam
(UKAV) at the National Economics University in Hanoi on Jan. 13.
Ngan said returnees are well-suited for international cooperation jobs requiring English, but
often lack experience in administrative tasks or communication with government agencies.
Another challenge is that their self-expectations are high and want to play important roles right
after returning and starting to work for a company in Vietnam rather than work their way up, she
said.
"That's why not all international students returning home can easily find jobs."
She advised them to manage their expectations and accept ordinary jobs to gain experience first.
Both said lower-than-expected salary levels are another challenge for returnees.
Link: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/education/high-expectations-a-problem-for-vietnamese-
returning-with-foreign-degrees-experts-4701320.html

55. Vietnam universities scramble to offer courses in semiconductor technology, design

More than 10 universities across Vietnam have introduced courses in integrated circuit design
and technology to meet the increasing demand for skills in those fields.
This year the Hanoi University of Science and Technology, the Vietnam-Korea University of
Information and Communication Technology, Da Nang University of Science and Technology,
Can Tho University, Saigon International University, Hanoi-based Phenikaa University, and FPT
University are taking in students for IC design and microelectronics courses for the first time.
The Hanoi University of Science and Technology has announced the setting up of the
semiconductor microchip technology department.
The Vietnam-Korea University of Information and Communication Technology is calling for
applications to IC design courses and offering scholarships covering 50-100% of fees.
Last year three member universities of the Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City – the
University of Technology, the University of Information Technology, and the University of
Natural Sciences – had gotten approvals to set up IC design and semiconductor technology
departments.
They believe this year is the right time to create those departments to serve the job market and
align with Vietnam's semiconductor development policies.
Over 50 microchip companies are operating in Vietnam, including Intel, Marvel, Synopsys,
Ampe Computing of the U.S., Japan’s Renesas, and Taiwan’s BridgeTek and Faraday.
According to Vietnam's National Science and Technology Information Portal, Vietnam had
around 5,000 engineers working in IC design as of 2022, mainly in Ho Chi Minh City (74%),
Hanoi (10%) and Da Nang (8%).
Link: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/education/vietnam-universities-scramble-to-offer-
courses-in-semiconductor-technology-design-4700301.html

56. French teachers charged with not reporting signs of domestic abuse
Two school heads in France have been charged with failing to report signs of domestic abuse in a
brother and sister after one was killed, a prosecutor said on Monday, sparking outrage from
teaching unions.
The youngest, a three-year-old girl, died in hospital in September after rescue services were
called to the home where she lived with her mother, 27, and stepfather, 29, in the northwestern
town of Conches-en-Ouche.
The girl's entire body -- face, limbs, chest, back and pelvic area -- was covered in bruises at
different stages of healing, indicating repeated beatings, and she had been out of school for a
week, investigators said at the time. Her six-year-old brother also appeared to have been hit.
The mother and stepfather, both unemployed, were arrested and charged with murder of a minor.
But the judge investigating the case also zeroed in on the fact that no one had reported the
ongoing abuse to the police or social services.
In December, police detained the head of the nursery school that the little girl attended as well as
the principal of the primary school where her brother was enrolled, local prosecutor Remi Coutin
said.
"They were charged with failing to report the mistreatment of a child," he said.
Both have been suspended, the regional education authority said.
If found guilty, they could face up to five years in jail and a 75,000-euro ($82,000) fine each.
Link: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/education/french-teachers-charged-with-not-reporting-
signs-of-domestic-abuse-4701287.html

57. US high school teacher reportedly says 'straight' is offensive

Ian Golash, a history teacher at Chief Sealth International High School in Seattle, reportedly told
a 15-year-old student who labeled himself as "straight" that he needed to pick a term that was
less offensive, 770KTTH reported.
Golash requested students to complete a "Social Identity Wheel" worksheet, which asked
students to explain several facets of their identities, including race, ethnic, gender and sexual
orientation, said Fox News.
A mother of the student, who requested anonymity, filed a complaint with the school, providing
a copy of Golash's email.
"When filling out a Social Identity Wheel, he (the student) was told that if he identifies as
straight that he needed to pick a term that was less offensive. It is completely inappropriate to
dictate what terms a student can and cannot use to identify themselves with," read the parent's
email, which was sent to Golash and the school's principal Ray Garcia-Morales.
In an emailed response to the parent, Golash wrote: "I did say to the class, in response to a
student, that I do not use the term 'straight' because it implies that to not be straight is to be
'crooked' which could have a negative connotation." He added he was "not interested in telling
them how they should identify," 770KTTH reported.
According to Fox News, parents of students in Golash's class also filed complaints last month
after he allegedly gave a failing quiz grade to a student for answering that only women can get
pregnant and only men can have penises.
Link: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/education/us-high-school-teacher-accused-of-saying-straight-
is-offensive-4700491.html
 58. Teachers owed salaries as university unable to lure students
137 lecturers and staff at Quang Binh University in central Quang Binh Province have not been
paid their salaries for two to 7.5 months as the school failed to attract students.
The public university has 236 lecturers and staff.
Among them, 99 are paid by the province's budget as they are state workers on a payroll list.
The remaining 137, who are under contract with the university, are owed salaries ranging from 2
to 7.5 months.
Additionally, the university also owes the staff social insurance, of which premium is paid by
extracting the monthly salary to covers employee benefits including sick leave, maternity leave,
allowances for work-related accidents and occupational diseases, and retirement pension.
The university, however, has not disclosed the specific amount of salaries and social insurance
contributions it owes lecturers and staff, said Pham Tien Nam, chairman of the Quang Binh
Provincial Labor Federation, on Wednesday.
Leaders at the university explained that it is unable to pay salaries due to poor student
recruitment and declining revenue.
Currently, the university has over 1,000 students, but more than half of them study teaching,
which means they are exempt from tuition fees as per government regulations.
The university also said that for at least the first three months of this year, there will be no funds
available to pay the 137 lecturers and staff members.
The Quang Binh Provincial Party Committee met Wednesday with the province's departments of
Education and Training, and Finance to find solutions
Link: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/education/teachers-owed-salaries-as-university-unable-
to-lure-students-4699701.html

59. Why more and more Southeast Asians want to learn German
Across Southeast Asia, interest in German is on the rise as the German government taps
increasing numbers of the region's skilled workers to tackle the country's severe labor shortages.
Enthusiasm for learning German has skyrocketed in Vietnam, especially after social life in the
country got back to normal following the Covid-19 pandemic, says Arik Jahn, head of the
language department at the Goethe-Institut in Ho Chi Minh City.
The number of German-language exams being taken at the economic hub's Goethe-Institut has
increased by more than 150% since 2019, and the number could soon triple.
Across Southeast Asia, interest in the German language is on the rise as the German government
taps increasing numbers of the region's qualified workers to fix its labor shortages in certain
sectors.
By one estimate, Germany needs about 150,000 more nurses and, under a new scheme, has
pushed for greater recruitment from Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines.
An estimated 14,000 people in Vietnam are learning German, as well as 15,000 in Malaysia and
more than 17,000 in Thailand, according to a spokesperson for Germany's Federal Foreign
Office.
"Supporting the learning and teaching of the German language abroad has long been a priority of
Germany's foreign policy in the field of culture and education," the spokesperson told DW.
"By promoting learning German, language students get to know more about Germany, its people
and culture, but we also provide access to the opportunities of the biggest economy in Europe
with excellent universities and cutting-edge scientific and academic networks."
Link: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/education/why-more-and-more-southeast-asians-want-to-
learn-german-4699584.html

60. Vietnam allows another English certificate for university admission

The Ministry of Education and Training is to recognize the Pearson English International
Certificate (PEIC) as equivalent to the six-level foreign language proficiency framework used in
Vietnam.
The PEIC certificate is an international standard for English proficiency, covering listening,
speaking, reading, and writing skills. The test is divided into levels corresponding to the six
levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) to assess
learners' abilities and progress at each stage of language proficiency improvement.
PEIC certificates are issued by Pearson Education, and the test is widely conducted in many
countries around the world.
They are also recognized by businesses, universities, and government agencies in Europe, the
Americas, Asia, and Africa.
In Vietnam, the PEIC certificate is organized by EMG Education, a strategic partner of Pearson
Education. EMG Education and Pearson have been approved by the Ministry of Education and
Training to jointly organize the certification exam.
Currently, the fee for a four-skill PEIC test is VND1.2 million (US$50) per candidate.
Since 2017, the Ministry of Education and Training has exempted the English test from the high-
school graduation exams for students with IELTS or TOEFL certificates, while more students
choose IELTS qualifications.
For this year's exam, the ministry designated that an IELTS score of 4.0 translates to a perfect
score of 10 on the English graduation exam.
In 2021, over 28,600 students used their IELTS scores to skip the English test. In 2022, that
number rose to over 35,000, and then nearly 47,000 this year.
Link: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/education/vietnam-allows-another-english-certificate-
for-university-admission-4698793.html

61. International students studying in Vietnam rising

The number of international students studying in Vietnam increased by 8% - 10% per year in the
2018 – 2023 period, the Ministry of Education and Training has reported.
About 22,000 international students have studied in educational institutions across Vietnam
through scholarship programs under agreements, other scholarship channels, and self-financing
arrangements, excluding those joining short-term training and research courses.
Vietnamese educational institutions hosting international students regularly organize cultural,
artistic, and sports exchange activities, providing opportunities for international students to get
insights into Vietnam's cultural traditions and its people, while helping Vietnamese students
understand more about the culture of other nations.
According to the ministry, upon completing their studies in Vietnam, many foreign students have
actively engaged in developing cultural, educational, diplomatic, economic, and political
relations between their countries with Vietnam.
This contributes to not only promoting Vietnam's culture and education globally but also
intensifying educational cooperation between the country and other nations, the ministry said.
Link: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/education/international-students-studying-in-vietnam-
rising-4698211.html
 62. Melbourne University to enroll students from more Vietnamese high schools
Australia's top university, the University of Melbourne, has added 11 Vietnamese high schools to
its direct admission list, bringing the total Vietnamese schools on the list to 23.
Lam Minh Khoa, Country Manager of the University of Melbourne in Vietnam, said Thursday
that the new policy would take effect from July this year.
Previously, only students from high schools for the gifted in Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh
City were directly admitted into the university without having to attend a university foundation
program, a one-year program designed to prepare students for entry into the first year.
Khoa said that after 10 years of observing and assessing, the University of Melbourne found that
students graduating from the 11 additional schools all had good academic abilities.
The decision was also made based on the entrance scores and high school graduation exam
results provided by the Departments of Education and Training of various provinces.
To apply to the University of Melbourne, students from the listed schools need to have a grade
point average (GPA) of the 12th grade at 8.5 or higher, a minimum English language proficiency
at 6.5 in IELTS (with no skill below 6) or TOEFL iBT from 79 points, and PTE from 58 points
upward, depending on the field of study, he said.
If not graduating from one of the 23 listed schools, Vietnamese students still have the
opportunity for direct admission if they have a SAT score of 1320/1600 or higher, ACT from
28/36, and GPA from 8.8.
Link: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/education/melbourne-university-to-enroll-students-
from-more-vietnamese-high-schools-4697425.html

63. HCMC to spend $45M to waive middle school tuition

HCMC will use VND1.1 trillion ($45.1 million) to waive tuition for all middle school students,
the municipal education department announced.
In a document issued Wednesday, the HCMC Department of Education and Training said middle
school students, from 6th to 9th grades, will see their tuition waived, and the city will spend
money from its budget to achieve this.
Public schools will get VND1.042 trillion, while non-public schools will get VND66 billion.
For the tuition of middle school students that had been collected since the school year started in
September, the education department requested public units to refund them. The tuition for non-
public ones are requested to be paid by the department based on the number of months studied at
the end of the 2023-2024 school year.
HCMC authorities said while the economy has been recovering in 2023, people's lives were still
affected due to global economic decline.
Businesses have been laying off workers, rendering many without a job or income. As such,
tuition waivers are necessary to ensure social security and help share the burden with parents and
students.
Previously in the 2021-2022 school year, HCMC had spent VND604 billion from its budget as
tuition waivers.
Link: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/education/hcmc-to-spend-45m-to-waive-middle-school-
tuition-4696975.html

64. Vietnamese students should prepare for Australia, UK's tougher visa policies: experts
The tightening of work visa regulations by the U.K. and Australia will significantly impact
international students seeking residency but lacking outstanding skills, according to experts.
The U.K. has unveiled a strategy for significantly reducing migration and addressing misuse
within the immigration system, which is set to bring about the largest-ever decrease in migration.
Last year it announced initiatives aimed at decreasing the issuance of student visas like
prohibiting international students, except those enrolled in postgraduate research programs, from
bringing dependents, and eliminating the option of switching to work visas before completing
their studies.
These will be implemented in January.
Besides, from this spring the government plans to raise the minimum salary requirement for
foreign workers by nearly 50%, from the current £26,200 to £38,700.
Only if they can earn that minimum salary foreign workers can apply for the skilled worker visa,
which allows them to stay for five years.
Furthermore, the Migration Advisory Committee has been tasked with evaluating the graduate
visa pathway to prevent any misuse.
On Dec. 11 Australia too announced a new immigration policy.
From this year the post-study work visa for international students (485 visa) will last only two to
three years instead of the current two to six. The age limit for applying for this visa will be
reduced from 50 to 35 years.
The two countries are among the six most preferred by Vietnamese students.
There are nearly 29,700 of them in Australia, with over 7,500 enrolled in vocational courses
ranging from six to 24 months, and 7,100 Vietnamese students in the U.K.
Link: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/education/vietnamese-students-should-prepare-for-
australia-uk-s-tougher-visa-policies-experts-4694447.html

65. Graduation exemptions for IELTS entice more Vietnamese youths

Four times more 16–22-year-olds took the 2022 IELTS tests compared to 2018 as Vietnam
exempts students with certain IELTS scores from testing for English on high school graduation
exams.
According to a report on study of foreign languages in Vietnam released Wednesday by the
Vietnam National Institute of Educational Sciences and the National Foreign Languages Project
Management Board, the age of IELTS test takers in Vietnam is getting younger.
In 2018, over 50% of IELTS candidates were over the age of 23. There were only about 1.5% of
test-takers aged 16-18, and over 13% were in the 19-22 age group.
After four years, the proportion of students aged 16-22 among total IELTS test-takers increased
to 62%. The 16-18 age group accounted for 30%, a twentyfold increase from 2018.
The 19-22 age group more than doubled, while the group over 23 years old decreased by more
than half, from nearly 52% to 20%.
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is an international English
language proficiency certificate that is accepted by over 11,000 training institutions and
organizations worldwide.
Since 2017, the Ministry of Education and Training has exempted the English test from the high-
school graduation exams for students with IELTs certificates. For this year’s exam, the ministry
designated that an IELTS score of 4.0 translates to a perfect score (10) on the English graduation
exam.
In 2021, over 28,600 students used their IELTS scores to skip the English test. In 2022, that
number rose to over 35,000, and then nearly 47,000 this year.
Link: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/education/graduation-exemptions-for-ielts-entice-more-
vietnamese-youths-4694569.html

66. Global Business Forum 2023: Laying foundations for sustainable globalization
RMIT's Global Business Forum 2023 looked into the key factors and best practices of
sustainable foreign direct investment (FDI) in Vietnam through the lens of multinational
enterprises.
The Global Business Forum (formerly International Business Forum) is one of the largest annual
industry-connected events hosted by The Business School, RMIT University Vietnam, and has
been held since 2018.
This year's theme, "Laying the foundation for sustainable globalization" attracted guest speakers
from multinational enterprises such as LEGO Manufacturing Vietnam, Unilever Vietnam, Savills
Vietnam, Schaeffler Vietnam, and Keppel.
The discussion delved deep into the sustainability of the FDI sector by analyzing factors of
production in global business operations. These include land, labor, and capital, with productive
entrepreneurship and human creativity as essential complements.
Experts in the forum remarked that in 2023, FDI enterprises will have significantly bolstered
Vietnam's economy, with investment reaching US$28.85 billion in the first 11 months.
They emphasized that FDI is crucially growing through industrial parks, as evident in the fact
that various multinationals have established or expanded their operations in industrial parks
across the nation. This aligns with the government's aim to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050
and to entice new and exceptional FDI.
For example, the LEGO Group is building a $1.3 billion plant in VSIP III industrial park in Binh
Duong Province, with an opening date expected in 2024. This would be the company’s first
carbon-neutral factory worldwide.
Link: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/education/global-business-forum-2023-laying-
foundations-for-sustainable-globalization-4692067.html

67. French, Japanese most popular foreign languages in school after English
After English, the most popular foreign languages learned in Vietnam are French and Japanese,
according to a report by the education ministry.
Reporting on education reform in the 2013-2023 period, the Ministry of Education and Training
said foreign language studies have seen positive developments.
English education for kindergarteners has begun in 61 out of the country's 63 provinces and
cities.
Besides English, 41 localities are also teaching students other foreign languages, with 60,000 of
them opting for them. The most popular is French, which is studied by 30,800 students, followed
by Japanese and Chinese.
They are taught at primary, middle and high school levels, while German, Korean and Russian
are not taught in primary school.
Since 2018 studying foreign languages has been compulsory from third to 12th grades.
One is designated as a "primary" language, and learning it is compulsory. An optional second
foreign language, designated as a "secondary" language, is also offered.
Most schools choose English as the "primary" language, though in some places on the northern
border, they choose Chinese instead.
French, Japanese and Korean are mainly taught in major cities.
Nguyen Thi Nhung, vice principal of the M.V. Lomonosov Middle and High School in Hanoi,
said most foreign languages other than English are regarded as "secondary," meaning they are
optional.
In her school, German, Japanese and Korean are taught besides English, she said.
Link: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/education/french-japanese-most-popular-foreign-languages-
taught-in-vietnam-besides-english-4690454.html

68. China's first lady impressed by Vietnamese students' Chinese proficiency

Chinese First Lady Peng Liyuan praised Vietnamese students for being diligent, intelligent and
speaking Chinese "very well."
Peng, wife of China's Party General Secretary and President Xi Jinping, joined Phan Thi Thanh
Tam, wife of Vietnam’s President Vo Van Thuong, to visit Vietnam National University (VNU),
Hanoi, on Wednesday morning.
"I click one "Like" for you guys," she said when having a meeting with the school's students.
Peng said language was a bridge in daily communication.
Learning Chinese helps Vietnamese students understand more about China and Chinese students
studying Vietnamese will have the opportunity to learn more about Vietnamese culture.
She hopes that as the Vietnam - China friendship continues to deepen, the market will have more
and more demand for talented people who learn Chinese.
Emphasizing that young people and talents play an important role in building the nation's future,
Peng said she hopes that Vietnamese and Chinese students will increase exchanges and that the
number of Vietnamese students studying in China will keep rising.
Many students attending the event spoke in Chinese to express their interest in Chinese culture,
cinema, costumes, as well as the friendly relationship between Vietnam and China.
Le Vu Thanh Thao, a student of the Faculty of Chinese Language and Culture, shared her dream
of becoming a Chinese teacher.
"Maybe they, like me, believe that through education we can increase understanding and
affection between the people of the two countries. One day we will become a bridge of
friendship between the two countries,"
Link: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/education/china-s-first-lady-impressed-by-vietnamese-
students-chinese-proficiency-4688406.html

69. Singapore leads way as Asia tops world education class

Asian countries led by Singapore dominated the top spots in a keenly watched survey of
education capabilities published Tuesday, while levels in Europe slipped at a record pace -- and
not just because of Covid.
However, the report also showed that students in top performing countries were not necessarily
happier.
The PISA survey is carried out every three years by the Paris-based Organization for Economic
Cooperation and Development (OECD) to assess the ability of 15-year-olds to meet real-life
challenges.
"The Pisa 2022 results show a fall in student performance that is unprecedented in Pisa's
history," OECD education analyst Irene Hu told reporters.
Singapore took top ranking in the latest assessment, which was carried out in 2022 and involved
690,000 students in 81 participating countries and economies.
The southeast Asian island city state scored highest in all three of the survey's areas:
mathematics, reading and science.
"These results suggest that, on average, Singaporean students are the equivalent of almost three
to five years of schooling ahead of their peers," the report said.
Five other Asian education systems -- in Macau, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan and South Korea --
came next in mathematics, and also scored near the top in reading and science.
But while Asia did well, other parts of the world declined, sparking an overall "unprecedented
drop in performance", the report said.
Germany, Iceland, the Netherlands, Norway and Poland, for example, all saw notably lower
achievements in mathematics, it said.
Link: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/education/singapore-leads-way-as-asia-tops-world-
education-class-4685490.html

70. Foreigners teaching English in Vietnam required to get training certificates

The Ministry of Education and Training has issued a decision promulgating a training and
certificate granting program for foreigners teaching English at foreign language and information
technology centers in Vietnam.
This program aims to train and issue English teaching certificates to foreigners, including native
speakers (English language) with a college degree or higher, foreigners with a college degree in
English language or higher, foreigners with a college degree or higher and a foreign language
proficiency certificate of level 5 or higher in accordance with Vietnam’s 6-level foreign language
competency framework or equivalent.
It also helps trainees develop English teaching skills effectively and flexibly, and in accordance
with the culture and context of Vietnam, thus meeting training and training certificate granting
needs, and contributing to ensuring the quality of English teaching at foreign language centers,
and foreign language and information technology centers.
After completing the training program, trainees need to meet the English teaching competency
requirements at these centers through applying knowledge, methods and approaches in teaching
English language; and analyzing, evaluating, and adjusting contents and methods to suit learners,
culture, and the context of teaching and learning English language in Vietnam.
The training program includes 10 topics on knowledge, methods and skills and one internship
period with a duration of 160 lessons (45 minutes each).
Link: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/education/foreigners-teaching-english-in-vietnam-
required-to-get-training-certificates-4686788.html

71. Vietnamese students tumble in international ranking

The latest results from PISA, one of the most prominent student-ranking organizations in the
world, show Vietnamese students earned the lowest score since they were first ranked in 2012.
Vietnam stood 31st out of 81 for mathematics, 34nd in reading and 35nd in science in the 2022
Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) ranking released on Tuesday by the 38
member-country Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
Those are Vietnam's lowest ranks ever since the country entered the ranking in 2012.
Vietnamese students scored 469 in math, 462 in reading and 472 in science, which are 3-14
points lower than the average score of OECD nations.
The PISA rankings are released every three years by the OECD to produce comparable data on
education policy and outcomes across countries, based on surveys on 15-year-old students. Due
to Covid-19, the latest one was conducted for last year instead of 2021.
Compared to 2018, Vietnam's 2022 scores dropped 27 points in math, 43 in reading and 71 in
science.
In terms of rankings, Vietnamese students are average in math, but below average in reading and
science.
They dropped seven ranks and 14 ranks against 2018 and 2012 respectively in math, two and 21
ranks in reading, and 27 and 31 ranks in science.
Singapore took top ranking in the latest assessment. Macau, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan and
South Korea came next in mathematics, and also scored near the top in reading and science.
Link: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/education/vietnamese-students-tumble-in-international-
ranking-4685623.html

72. Vietnam's graduates overseas struggle with uncertain future

Whether they return home or stay abroad, Vietnamese graduates of foreign schools often have
difficulty finding their place.
For several months since she graduated with a marketing degree from a university in Canada,
Thanh Thao, 26, has not been able to find a job on her chosen career path.
Thao said international students like her regularly learn the hard way that recruiters abroad tend
to favor local employment candidates.
"It’s quite hard to find a job. And I could not find satisfying work that matches my
qualifications."
According to Thao, each foreign postgraduate faces competition from 100 local applicants.
"And recruiters prefer locals because they believe people from here can do a better job thanks to
their language proficiency and better understanding of the country's culture and habits," she said.
In order to extend her stay in Canada, Thao has had to take jobs outside her industry, and she
even took on unpaid volunteer work at a non-profit organizations for three months.
Despite her master's degree in communications, Kim said she's found it difficult to compete for
jobs with local applicants.
"In marketing, there is the 'insight' concept, which means a deep understanding of consumers,
customers, competitors, and the industry. I'm an international student who hasn't lived here very
many years. My culture and thinking are completely different despite how proficient my English
is, so there is no way I can understand target customer bases and the market as well as locals
here," Kim said.
Link: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/education/vietnam-s-graduates-overseas-struggle-with-
uncertain-future-4682753.html

73. Health Issues Keep Millions of Kids Consistently Out of School, Study Finds
Close to 6% of U.S. kids 5 to 17 years old were chronically absent from school due to injury,
illness or disability in 2022, a new analysis shows.
Millions of U.S. children recently experienced chronic absenteeism from school due to injury,
illness or disability, with data indicating white and Hispanic children and those from the lowest-
income households were more likely to miss class because of such factors.
The findings come from a report released Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics.
What the Data Shows
The report says that in 2022, an estimated 5.5% of boys and 6% of girls between 5 and 17 years
old missed at least 15 days of school over the past 12 months for health-related reasons,
amounting to 5.8% of children overall. That equates to around 3 million kids, the CDC confirms.
Researchers said such children were categorized as chronically absent from school based on a
U.S. Department of Education definition. The difference in absenteeism between boys and girls
was not significant, according to the report, and neither were differences by age group. Yet
researchers found non-Hispanic white children and Hispanic children were chronically absent for
health reasons at higher rates than other groups at 6.6% and 6.2%, respectively.

Comparatively, 3.3% of Black children and 1.4% of Asian children experienced chronic school
absenteeism due to health in 2022.
Link: https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2024-03-14/study-health-issues-keep-
millions-of-kids-chronically-out-of-school

74. Colleges Must Do More to Help Students Manage Conflict and Have Civil Debate
At a time when our nation is more divided than ever, it’s on university leaders to teach students
to engage respectfully – for the good of our campuses and our country.
Today’s students are some of the most remarkable and resilient that I’ve seen in my career as a
higher education leader. Faced with more twists and turns than any generation in recent memory,
they remain optimistic, hungry and ready to make a difference.
But despite this self-assurance, there’s one major concern that looms as a challenge for this
cohort: the ability to constructively manage conflict.
It’s been widely discussed that the pandemic generation suffered enormous learning setbacks
around the world. But perhaps even more alarming is how quickly they fell behind in developing
the interpersonal skills that are so important for living and working alongside one another. On
college campuses, we witness the effects on a daily basis, with many of our students finding it
hard to constructively advocate for what they need or to deal with disagreements in a solutions-
oriented manner. The result is a worrisome rise in student conflicts on campus.
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated trends of seclusion, leaving young people cloistered
during the crucial years when they should have been building social capital. The problem is such
that U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy issued an advisory about the epidemic of loneliness and
isolation in our country, pointing to research showing that the time young people spend with
their peers has decreased by nearly 70% in the last two decades.
Link: https://www.usnews.com/opinion/articles/2024-03-12/colleges-must-do-more-to-help-
students-manage-conflict-and-have-civil-debate

75. Harvard President Claudine Gay Resigns Under Pressure

Allegations of plagiarism came after a storm of controversy related to her widely criticized
testimony about antisemitism on college campuses before a congressional committee.
Claudine Gay, Harvard’s first Black president and only its second woman president, resigned
from her post on Tuesday amid allegations of plagiarism that follow a firestorm of controversy in
recent weeks related to widely criticized testimony last month about antisemitism on college
campuses before a congressional committee.
Her resignation marks the shortest presidency in Harvard’s storied history and puts a spotlight on
the evolving role of the higher education sector and the limits of free speech on college
campuses.
“It is with a heavy heart but a deep love for Harvard that I write to share that I will be stepping
down as president,” Gay, who took on the presidency six months ago, said in a statement. “This
is not a decision I came to easily. Indeed, it has been difficult beyond words because I have
looked forward to working with so many of you to advance the commitment to academic
excellence that has propelled this great university across centuries.”
In the weeks following the Oct. 7 surprise attack by the militant group Hamas against Israel, the
vast majority of elite schools made a decision to remain silent about the attack, the ensuing war –
a stance most institutions of higher education are advised to take and one known as “institutional
neutrality.”
Link: https://www.usnews.com/news/education-news/articles/2024-01-02/harvard-president-
claudine-gay-resigns-under-pressure

76. Care homes in England reject vulnerable children to protect Ofsted ratings
Young people with complex needs face long waits for places because providers fear negative
watchdog reports.
Some care homes in England are refusing to take children with complex needs because they are
worried it might affect their Ofsted inspection ratings, fuelling concern that vulnerable young
people in the social care system are having to wait months or even years for a stable home.
Last month, an Ofsted report said nine out of 10 councils often struggle to find homes for
children with complex needs, with some local authorities having to resort to unregistered
placements as an alternative to registered care homes.
Demand for care home placements is outstripping supply, with rising numbers of children in
care, many care homes only having a small number of places and new settings often opening
hundreds of miles from where they are most needed.
But sector representatives said that in addition to this, some care settings are unwilling to accept
children and teenagers with complex needs, in response to Ofsted’s inspection regime, fuelling
accusations of “cherrypicking”, which care providers deny.
“There can be an unwillingness of some providers to take children with any level of complexity,
or increasingly serving immediate or inappropriate notice periods, for fear of the impact on their
Ofsted rating,” said John Pearce, president of the Association of Directors of Children’s Services
(ADCS).
Link: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/feb/11/care-homes-england-reject-complex-
needs-children-protect-ofsted-ratings

77. Teachers in England could face ban for failing to report evidence of sexual abuse of
children
Home secretary’s mandatory reporting legislation plan already covered by statutory duties, say
school leaders
Teachers in England face being banned if they fail to report evidence of children being subjected
to sexual abuse under plans for new legislation announced by the home secretary, James
Cleverly.
The new law would make it a legal requirement for healthcare professionals, teachers and others
who work with children and young people to identify and pass on cases of possible sexual abuse.
It would also impose prison sentences of up to seven years on anyone who actively covers up
evidence of child sexual abuse, and give police the power to block sex offenders from changing
their names.
“Having listened to the voices of victims and survivors and reviewed the work of the
independent inquiry into child sexual abuse, we are working at pace to get a mandatory reporting
duty for child sexual abuse on to the statute book,” Cleverly said. “We will continue to use all
levers at our disposal to tackle this horrific crime and keep women and children safe.”
In its final report, the independent inquiry called for a legal requirement for professionals and
volunteers working with children to report sexual abuse if they witnessed or were told about it by
a child or perpetrator, or if they “recognised indicators” of it.
But school leaders said reporting requirements were already imposed on schools and their staff
through the Department for Education’s statutory guidelines and safeguarding practices,
inspected by Ofsted.
Link: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/feb/21/teachers-in-england-could-face-ban-for-
failing-to-report-evidence-of-sexual-abuse-of-children

78. In reversal, Nebraska governor accepts federal dollars to feed low-income kids
Jim Pillen breaks with 14 other Republican governors to enroll in Summer EBT, a new food
program for school vacation months.
Nebraska’s governor announced this week that the state would accept federal dollars to help feed
children from low-income families, breaking away from the more than a dozen other Republican
governors around the US who have refused to do so.
Just last month, Jim Pillen joined 14 other Republican governors in opting not to enroll in
Summer EBT, a new federal food program that provides low-income families with a monthly
payment of $40 per child during summer vacation. In participating states, families with children
in free or reduced-price school lunch programs will get $40 per qualifying child on an electronic
benefits transfer (EBT) card throughout each of the three summer months. That money can be
used to purchase groceries and food from farmers’ markets.
States were given until the end of 2023 to enroll, and they can enroll in the future even if they’ve
skipped the year before. On 16 February, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) told
Politico it would still allow states to apply even if they had missed the enrollment deadlines.
“Even though states were asked to submit their notice of intent by January 1, USDA will
consider every situation based on the specific circumstances,” a spokesperson, Allan Rodriguez,
said in a statement.
Link: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/feb/20/food-kids-summer-ebt-nebraska-
governor

79. The Guardian view on the special needs crisis: children don’t deserve this chaos
By failing to adequately fund their own policy, ministers have created a destructive standoff
between families, councils and schools.
A decade after David Cameron’s coalition government overhauled provision for children with
special educational needs and disabilities (Send) in England, it has never been clearer that the
system is in crisis. A raft of measures designed to appeal to parents, by promising them greater
influence over their children’s education, has resulted in a destructive standoff between families,
schools and councils – because ministers failed to adequately fund their own policy.
Instead of the choices that were offered, parents of pupils who, for a range of reasons, are not
thriving in mainstream classrooms, have been forced to fight for the resources that local
authorities must provide to enable them to access education. Long waiting times for NHS autism
assessments, combined with delays in issuing education, health and care plans (EHCPs) – the
documents that set out children’s entitlements – mean that thousands of families are stuck. Even
where plans have been agreed, there are many instances in which pupils do not receive the
placement or support that they ought to guarantee. Families are left trapped, knowing that needs
are not being met but unable to remedy what can turn into a damaging experience of exclusion
from education.
Funding to councils for high-needs provision has increased by more than 60% since 2019-20 –
but it doesn’t match the growing need, and the government admits the system isn’t working.
Promised reforms are being introduced only in a piecemeal fashion.
Link: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/feb/19/the-guardian-view-on-the-
special-needs-crisis-children-dont-deserve-this-chaos

80. The devastating impact Covid and austerity had on children in England
As children’s services leaders call for a national plan of action, we look at four key affected areas
of policy.
A wide-ranging national plan for childhood is needed in England to address the profound
impacts on young people of austerity, poverty and the legacy of the pandemic, says the
Association of Directors of Children’s Services.
Investment and reform across several overlapping services, from child mental health to early
years support, is essential to transform lives, tackle widening social inequalities and secure the
UK’s future prosperity, it says.
How has austerity and the pandemic had an effect on childhood in four key areas of policy?
Child poverty
About 4.2 million children are in relative poverty in the UK, while the number of young people
experiencing destitution or extreme poverty – meaning their families cannot afford to clothe
them, clean them or keep them warm – has tripled over the past three years.
Rising material hardship has multiple effects; children going without proper clothes or having to
share a bed with siblings. But it also means exclusion – missing out on family outings, holidays
and school trips and social isolation.
Life chances and opportunities have also been dented by the loss through council cuts of local
public amenities, including hundreds of children’s centres, youth clubs, libraries, parks and
leisure facilities.
Link: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/feb/19/the-devestating-impact-of-covid-and-
austerity-on-children-in-england

81. Banning phones in England’s schools will not address online safety, say campaigners
Call made for more ambitious legislation to protect children from harmful content on tech
platforms
Banning mobile phones in England’s schools will not address the harms caused by tech
platforms to children, according to leading internet safety campaigners.
Ian Russell, the father of Molly Russell, and Beeban Kidron, an influential figure in online
regulation, said limiting phone use in schools would do nothing to make social media services
safer.
On Monday the government outlined new guidance on mobile phone use in schools, referring to
the capacity for handsets to cause distraction and disruption, as well as enable online bullying.
Russell, whose 14-year-old daughter killed herself in 2017 after viewing harmful content online,
said the updated guidance on handsets in schools did not prevent children from being exposed to
dangerous material on the phones themselves.
“The simple reality is that children will continue to be exposed to preventable risk day and night
until we address the fundamental product safety failings of tech platforms that are dangerous by
design,” he said.
Russell, who is the chair of trustees at a charity set up in memory of his daughter, the Molly
Rose Foundation, said there was an “urgent need” to commit to measures that would keep
children safe. The Online Safety Act, which contains provisions to shelter children from harmful
content such as pornography and the promotion of suicide and eating disorders, became law last
year but is still in the process of being implemented.
Link: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2024/feb/19/banning-phones-in-englands-
schools-will-not-address-online-safety-say-campaigners

82. Hundreds of children with special needs wait a year for support in England
Hundreds of children with special educational needs have been waiting for a year or longer to
access support, as local authorities across England buckle under the strain of the demands placed
on them, the Guardian has learned.
Freedom of information requests found that in some local authorities, children and young people
have been waiting more than two years to be issued with an education, health and care plan
(EHCP) that details the support they require.
The FoI results suggest that across England more than 20,000 cases were waiting longer than the
20-week limit, and as many as 3,000 for a year or more.
Council leaders say that requests for EHCPs have surged in recent years while funding to meet
the children’s needs has not kept pace. Since 2019 the number of plans issued has risen by 72%,
so that in 2023 more than 500,000 children and young people had EHCPs, but dedicated funding
from central government for special education needs and disabilities (Send) has only risen by
42%.
Alex Dale, the cabinet member for education at Derbyshire county council, said: “It’s clearly a
massive issue, and no local authority wants to be in a position where it is going over the statutory
timeframe or making families wait any longer than they should.”
He said: “In my local authority, we’ve calculated that the number of EHCPs we have on our
books, if you like, has doubled in the past seven years. And that’s pretty much replicated across
the country.”
Link: https://www.theguardian.com/education/2024/feb/18/hundreds-of-children-with-special-
needs-wait-a-year-for-support-in-england

83. Special needs responsibilities were heaped on councils as funding shrank

There was a familiar feel to last month’s Commons debate on special needs funding: MPs
berating the government over its lack of support for local authorities in England, for the long
delays in assessments and severe shortages of special school places.
But many of the debate’s most damning complaints came from Conservative MPs, whose reports
of frustration and anger from their constituents were indistinguishable from the opposition’s.
Jake Berry, a former Conservative party chair, was among those pleading with his own
government to help local authorities handle the surge in children and young people seeking
education, health and care plans (EHCPs).
Berry, whose son is autistic, asked the government “to please find a way to support councils to
fast track EHCPs”. He added: “That would make a difference. EHCPs do work when people get
them. I know that it works for me, my family and my son. The challenge is that people just
cannot get them in a timely manner.”
Freedom of information requests to local authorities in England by the Guardian reveal there is
huge variation in the delays that children face.
The most recent national figures show just under half of all EHCP requests in England are
completed within the government’s 20-week target. The FoIs found that local authorities like
Wolverhampton – with only 12 outstanding cases – were outweighed by those like
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole council, where 319 cases out of 361 were waiting more
than 20 weeks towards the end of last year.
Link: https://www.theguardian.com/education/2024/feb/18/special-needs-responsibilities-were-
heaped-on-councils-as-funding-shrank

84. Teachers facing redundancy as record number of English schools fall into deficit
Schools across England are warning they will soon be unsafe because they are having to cut
teachers and support staff to save money, with record numbers now in deficit.
With escalating behavioural problems, soaring numbers of children with special educational
needs, and increased pupil numbers, schools say staff are already stretched to the limit. Yet heads
across the country say they now have no choice but to plan redundancies or not replace leaving
staff in order to balance their books.
One in eight local authority maintained schools were in deficit in 2022-23, the highest number on
record since schools took control of their own bank balances in 1999, according to data released
by the Department for Education at the end of January. This was a big jump from one in 13
schools the year before, fuelled largely by spiralling energy costs and fully or partially unfunded
staff pay rises. There has been a steady upward trajectory of schools being pushed into the red
since the Conservatives came to power in the coalition government of 2010. In 2011 one state
school in 20 was in deficit.
The National Education Union is predicting that deficit figures for this year will be “much
worse” when they are released by the DfE next January and shedding more staff will be “the
only way out” for many schools, leading to larger class sizes and more stressed staff leaving the
sector.
Link: https://www.theguardian.com/education/2024/feb/10/teachers-facing-redundancy-as-
record-number-of-english-schools-fall-into-deficit

85. More than half of British girls lack confidence learning maths, poll finds
More than half of British girls do not feel confident learning maths while two-fifths feel insecure
about science, according to a report which highlights an “alarming” gender confidence gap in
schools.
Research by the education charity Teach First found that 54% of girls lacked confidence in
maths, compared with 41% of boys, but the gap was even wider in science, where 43% of girls
lacked confidence compared with 26% of boys.
The findings were based on the results of a YouGov poll of 1,000 young people aged 11 to 16
ahead of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science on Sunday.
Despite feeling less confident, girls often outperform boys in Stem (science, technology,
engineering and mathematics) subjects at GCSE, with a higher percentage achieving top grades –
though fewer girls then take these subjects at A-level and go on into Stem careers.
The results have prompted warnings that poor gender diversity will exacerbate the skills shortage
currently facing the Stem sector, and Teach First is calling for more high-quality, specialist
teachers to help inspire the next generation into these fields.
In 2020, women made up less than 30% of the UK Stem workforce, while the Institution of
Engineering and Technology (IET) has warned of a shortfall of more than 173,000 workers – the
equivalent of 10 unfilled roles per business, on average.
Link: https://www.theguardian.com/education/2024/feb/08/more-than-half-of-british-girls-lack-
confidence-learning-maths-poll-finds

86. Taunts, bullying… then groping: how sexual assaults are increasing in schools
Billy (not real name) is now being home-schooled after bullying turned into physical violence.
Starting secondary school had not been easy for Billy (not his real name). What started as verbal
taunts from one boy soon saw him become the target of a group of four boys. Bullying became
physical violence. Yet the abuse got even worse, escalating to sexual assault. The group would
corner him in the toilets and grope and touch his genitals. Unsurprisingly, Billy’s mental health
quickly deteriorated. He is now being home-schooled and he struggles to leave the house
because of anxiety.
Billy is receiving support from Embrace, a charity that works with children who have been the
victims of crime. He says that he is starting to feel stronger, while his parents say his panic
attacks and nightmares are receding thanks to the support he is getting. However, what he
experienced was part of an increase in “peer-on-peer abuse” that is worrying schools, police and
professionals who work with young people.
Billy’s experience was unusual in that most abuse is carried out by boys against girls. But what
he faced is part of a range of behaviours that appears to be getting worse. Research into police
records by the Observer found a steep increase in reports of sexual assault and rape in England
and Wales since 2019. By 2022, the figures released under the Freedom of Information Act
showed a 40% increase – with an even greater increase in reports of incidents on school
property.
Link: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/feb/17/sexual-assaults-on-children-by-other-
children-england-and-wales-rise-toxic-online-culture

87. School uniforms may be barrier to physical activity among younger girls
Fewer pupils of primary-school age meet WHO minimum in countries where uniforms are the
norm, Cambridge study finds.
Restrictive uniforms could be preventing primary school pupils, especially girls, from being
physically active, research suggests.
In countries where most schools require students to wear uniforms, fewer young people reach the
World Health Organization’s minimum recommendation of 60 minutes of physical activity a day
across a whole week, according to a study by University of Cambridge.
There was a greater difference between girls and boys of primary-school age in countries where
uniforms were common. The finding was not replicated among children of secondary-school age.
This may be because of the incidental exercise that younger children get throughout the school
day, for example, through running, climbing and active play at break and lunchtimes.
The findings confirm earlier evidence that girls feel less comfortable participating in active play
if they are wearing certain types of clothing such as skirts or dresses.
Dr Mairead Ryan, a researcher at the faculty of education and MRC epidemiology unit at
Cambridge, said: “Schools often prefer to use uniforms for various reasons. We are not trying to
suggest a blanket ban on them, but to present new evidence to support decision-making. School
communities could consider design, and whether specific characteristics of a uniform might
either encourage or restrict any opportunities for physical activity across the day.”
Link: https://www.theguardian.com/education/2024/feb/15/school-uniforms-may-be-barrier-to-
physical-activity-among-younger-girls

88. Indiana teachers call attorney general’s ‘Eyes on Education’ portal dangerous
A website launched by Indiana Republicans as a reporting tool for perceived indoctrination of
public school students has instead become a nest of outdated and inaccurate information,
educators say, driving a wedge between parents and teachers.
State attorney general Todd Rokita’s “Eyes on Education” portal, which he launched earlier this
month independent of Indiana’s education department, also exceeds his remit, and exists purely
for his own political gain, they say.
Now, an alliance of teachers’ unions is demanding Rokita take the website down. The group is
calling it a “dangerous” attack on public educators that advances a conservative culture war
agenda against purported woke ideology, mostly over race and gender, which has already gained
traction in other Republican-led states.
In a statement published to X, formerly Twitter, the groups take issue with documentation posted
to the website that Rokita says are “real examples of socialist indoctrination from classrooms”,
including photographs of a Pride flag, lesson plans, quizzes and other teaching materials, in some
cases identifying by name the teachers behind them.
The educators say there is no evidence any of the material was ever generated or used in Indiana
classrooms. They also emphasize that the website lacked any kind of vetting or submission
process that could verify authenticity.
Additionally, they allege, many of the documents showcased are outdated or inaccurate, posted
without the knowledge of, or input from the school districts from which they reportedly came.
Link: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/feb/15/indiana-ag-eyes-on-education-tipline

89. Elite universities and professions are still the preserve of the middle classes
Gaby Hinsliff asks if we are sliding back to the days when middle-class children mostly went to
university and then into elite careers, while working-class ones mostly did not (It’s not about
‘woke’ or foreign students – the truth is that UK universities are starved of cash, 6 February).
We’re not sliding back to those days – we never left them behind.
Working-class students comprise around 20% of undergraduates at the 24 Russell Group
universities and an even lower percentage of postgraduates, with those who were entitled to free
school meals comprising fewer than 4% of undergraduates at these universities. Even when they
do enter such elite institutions, working-class students often report feelings of social isolation
and class-based microaggressions by their peers and staff.
Successive reports have revealed that between 20% and 65% of professionals in occupations as
diverse as medicine, law, journalism, sports, MPs, the arts and high court judges were educated
in fee-paying schools and/or Oxbridge, despite only 7% of the UK population attending such
schools and about 1% attending these two universities.
Despite successive waves of higher education expansion in the UK, particularly since the 1960s
and again in the 1990s, access to elite universities and the professions has remained the preserve
of the middle classes and their children.
Link: https://www.theguardian.com/inequality/2024/feb/14/elite-universities-and-professions-
are-still-the-preserve-of-the-middle-classes

90. Canadian teacher accused of selling students’ art on personal website

Parents in disbelief after students at Montreal’s Westwood junior high found their art for
purchase on mugs, phone cases and clothes.
A Canadian teacher is under fire for allegedly using his personal website to sell nearly 100 pieces
of art created by students, prompting disbelief and anger from parents.
Students at Montreal’s Westwood junior high school made the chance discovery last night after
searching out their art teacher’s website. On it they found their own art, available for purchase on
coffee mugs, mobile phone cases and clothing.
“Imagine your 13 year-old son coming home from school today with a story that his art teacher
is selling students’ artwork online at $94 per drawing without their prior knowledge!? That is
completely insane,” parent Joel DeBellefeuille posted on social media. “I’m sure I’m not the
only parent that wants answers.”
The teacher, identified as Mario Perron by CTV News, did not respond to the Guardian’s request
for comment. On his website, the Montreal resident describes himself as a “life-long student of
art” whose works appear in private collections in Canada, the US, Spain and Italy.
More than 90 works are still visible on the site, with the titles of many works – Julia’s Creepy
Portrait, Charlotte’s Creepy Portrait – apparently referring to the names of students who created
the art. As of Monday, the links to the art instead route to Perron’s paintings and the student art
can no longer be purchased.
Link: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/feb/12/art-teacher-sell-student-work-canada

91. Ministers confirm plan to ban use of mobile phones in schools in England
Teaching unions say guidance includes practices already adopted and most schools already have
policies in place.
Ministers have confirmed plans to ban the use of mobile phones in English schools, releasing
guidance for headteachers that some unions said included practices that had already been widely
adopted.
However, one headteacher welcomed the Department for Education (DfE) plan, saying it would
help give schools the confidence to make a change that would benefit pupils but could meet
resistance from parents.
The guidance is not statutory, and offers schools a variety of ways to implement the ban, ranging
from an order to leave all phones at home, to handing them in on arrival or keeping them in
inaccessible lockers, or allowing students to keep them on condition they are not used or heard.
The proliferation of smartphones in schools – Ofcom data says 97% of children have one by the
age of 12 – has brought concerns about not just distraction but the potential for bullying or other
social pressure.
In interviews on Monday about the plan, Gillian Keegan, the education secretary, said the DfE
had consulted headteachers and believed the guidance would “empower” those yet to fully ban
phones, and “would send a clear message about consistency”.
Link: https://www.theguardian.com/education/2024/feb/19/ministers-confirm-plan-to-ban-use-
of-mobile-phones-in-schools-in-england

92. One in four school-starters in England and Wales not toilet-trained, say teachers
School staff report worsening school-readiness with teachers devoting more time to child-
support work that parents once did.
One in four children starting school in England and Wales are not toilet-trained, according to
teachers who now spend a third of their day supporting pupils who are not school-ready, a report
has found.
The early-years charity, Kindred2, polled 1,000 primary school staff, half of whom said
problems with school-readiness have got worse in the last 18 months, with schools doing more of
the work to prepare children that parents would once have done.
Nearly half (46%) of pupils are unable to sit still, 38% struggle to play or share with others, more
than a third (37%) cannot dress themselves, 29% cannot eat or drink independently and more
than a quarter (28%) are using books incorrectly, swiping or tapping as though they were using a
tablet, according to the survey.
As a consequence, school staff are on average diverting 2.5 hours a day away from teaching and
towards supporting children who are not school-ready, which has a knock-on effect on pupils
who lose around a third of learning time each day.
Schools say the additional pressures are also affecting staff retention. Almost half (47%) of
teachers who took part in the survey said they are considering leaving their role and nearly a
quarter (23%) plan on doing so in the next year.
“I feel like we’re not teaching as much in the first year now as we used to,” one teacher told
researchers.
Link: https://www.theguardian.com/education/2024/feb/28/one-in-four-school-starters-in-
england-and-wales-not-toilet-trained-say-teachers

93. School summer holidays in England should be cut to four weeks, report says
Experts to also recommend longer half-term breaks in proposed overhaul of school calendar ‘in
place since Victorian times’
England should ditch its school calendar “stuck in place since Victorian times” and replace it
with shorter summer holidays and longer half-term breaks to improve the lives of pupils and
teachers, according to a new report.
The report on tackling post-pandemic education inequalities, part of a project funded by the
Nuffield Foundation to be published next month, is to recommend an overhaul of the school
calendar that could see summer holidays in state schools reduced from six weeks to four, while
half-term breaks in autumn and winter could each be extended from one week to two.
The summary of the report says it is “time to consider reforms to a school calendar that has been
stuck in place since Victorian times”.
Lee Elliot Major, professor of social mobility at the University of Exeter and one of the report’s
authors, said reforming the academic calendar in England would be an effective and low-cost
way of tackling the educational divides that have grown since the pandemic.
“Spreading school holidays more evenly across the year makes complete educational sense:
improving the wellbeing of pupils and the working lives of teachers at no extra cost, balancing
out childcare costs for parents, and potentially boosting academic results for many children,”
Major said.
Link: https://www.theguardian.com/education/2024/feb/26/school-summer-holidays-half-term-
england-calendar-nuffield-foundation-report

94. Government delays plans to double number of medical students in England

Fears for impact on NHS workforce as leaked letter reveals ministers stall on aim to increase
trainee doctors to 15,000 by 2031
Ministers have dramatically stalled plans to double the number of doctors being trained in
England by 2031 in a move that has caused dismay across the NHS, as well in medical schools
and universities, the Observer can reveal.
In June last year, ministers backed a long-term plan to expand the NHS workforce and pledged,
amid great fanfare, to “double medical school places by 2031 from 7,500 today to 15,000, with
more medical school places in areas with the greatest shortages to level up training and help
address geographic inequity”. Labour is also committed to raising the number of doctors to
15,000 by 2031.
But a leaked letter written jointly by health minister Andrew Stephenson and the minister for
skills, apprenticeships and higher education, Robert Halfon, to the independent regulator the
Office for Students, says they will fund only 350 additional places for trainee doctors in 2025-26.
This is less than a quarter of the annual number widely anticipated and there is no guarantee that
even that level of resource will be repeated.
The heads of universities and medical schools last night expressed extreme disappointment and
said the numbers fell far short of what they had been led to expect, and were now able to
accommodate.
Link: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/feb/25/government-u-turn-on-plans-to-
double-number-of-medical-students-in-england
95. School accused of ‘snooping’ on family homes to crack down on pupil absences
Union criticises Doncaster academy for sending staff to homes to track movements of bins and
cars.
A secondary school in South Yorkshire has been accused of snooping by monitoring families’
bins, cars and post in an attempt to crack down on pupil absences.
Staff at Astrea Academy Woodfields in Balby, Doncaster, have been visiting the homes of absent
pupils to check bins are being put out, cars are on driveways, or if steam is being released from
the boiler flue.
The National Education Union (NEU) criticised the tactics as invasive, although the school says
they are attempting to crack down on unauthorised absences.
David Scales, the principal of Astrea Academy Woodfields, said: “Like schools across the
country, our attendance team routinely does home visits to check on a child if they’ve not been in
school for a few days.
“We do this because we care and because we want our students to be in school. Not just because
they are there to learn, but it is a sad fact of life that being seen in school is too often one of the
most significant protections a child has. When that falls away without good reason staff are right
to be concerned.”
Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the NEU, said that “tackling absences should not extend to
snooping on families”.
He added: “This is a clear over-reach of how a school should behave. It will do nothing to build
positive relationships with parents and students.”
Link: https://www.theguardian.com/education/2024/mar/07/school-accused-of-snooping-on-
family-homes-to-crack-down-on-pupil-absences

96. Students suspended even for short spells fare worse at GCSEs, study finds
Charity says findings from schools in England show need for early intervention and fewer
exclusions.
Children who are suspended from school in England even for short periods see their GCSE
results suffer, according to research that highlights the need for early interventions to reduce
suspensions.
Pupils who had been suspended were found to be lagging a year behind their peers and on
average were unable to achieve a standard pass in GCSE maths and English.
The research also found a strong overlap between children being suspended and those diagnosed
with special needs and mental health issues, while children who were repeatedly absent were
also more likely to be suspended.
Ben Gadsby, the head of policy and research at Impetus, the youth education charity that
commissioned the research, said: “While it is not a surprise that suspended pupils get worse
outcomes, this new research puts a number on the ‘suspension grades gap’ for the first time.
“While suspensions are sometimes necessary, supporting pupils who are struggling to engage in
mainstream education must continue to be a priority for whoever is in government. We should
aim for lower exclusion levels not simply for the sake of it but because it would be a sign of a
more effective education system for pupils and teachers alike.”
The study by the Education Policy Institute tracked one year group of more than 550,000 state
school pupils in England from the start of secondary school until sitting GCSEs.
Link: https://www.theguardian.com/education/2024/mar/14/students-suspended-even-for-short-
spells-fare-worse-at-gcses-study-finds

97. Every new school being built in England is in unsafe air pollution area, study says
Analysis finds almost nine in 10 planned new school sites exceed three WHO targets – and all
breach at least one of them.
Every new school in England is being built in an area with unsafe levels of air pollution,
according to a damning report that says thousands of children will experience “alarmingly poor”
air quality.
Children are particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of air pollution because their bodies,
organs and immune systems are still developing.
An analysis has found that almost nine in 10 planned new school sites exceed three World Health
Organization (WHO) targets on major air pollutants. And every single one of the schools
breaches at least one of the guidelines.
The study, published in the journal Archives of Disease in Childhood, suggests thousands of
children enrolling at the new schools face a major threat to their health because of their greater
susceptibility to the effects of air pollution.
The study, led by Evelina London children’s hospital and King’s College London (KCL), called
for air quality assessment to be mandatory at the proposal and planning stage of any new school
building, and for national guidance and legislation to be updated.
“We hope this study can influence school proposers, designers and national policy,” the
researchers wrote. “Children deserve protection from avoidable harm while at school.”
The WHO global air quality guidelines (AQG) set out numerical targets for annual exposure to
major pollutants, including small particulate matter (PM2.5, PM10) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2).
Link: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/mar/19/every-new-school-being-built-in-
england-is-in-unsafe-air-pollution-area-study-says

98. Childcare expansion in England may not meet parents’ expectations, says charity
Survey by Coram found nursery costs and dwindling places will put pressure on government
plans
Rishi Sunak’s plans to expand childcare provision in England are at risk of not living up to
parents’ expectations as nursery costs surge and available places dwindle, a charity has warned.
The cost of 25 hours a week for a child under two has risen by 7% on 2023, with the most
expensive area being inner London where the average cost is £218 a week, the latest annual
survey of the Coram Family and Childcare charity found.
A total of 34% of English councils reported having sufficient childcare places – a decrease of 14
percentage points on the previous year – while 35% reported having enough spaces for children
under two.
The survey also pointed to a drop in childcare places for children with disabilities, with 6% of
councils reporting sufficient spaces, down 12 percentage points from 2023.
Provision was also found to have reduced for parents working atypical hours – down 7
percentage points – and for families in rural areas – down by 14 percentage points.
Under the prime minister’s flagship childcare expansion policy, starting from April, existing
childcare support will be expanded in phases with a plan that by September 2025, most working
families with children under the age of five will be entitled to 30 hours of childcare support.
Link: https://www.theguardian.com/money/2024/mar/19/childcare-expansion-in-england-may-
not-meet-parents-expectations-says-charity

99. Young carers in England and Wales ‘forced out of education’ by benefit rules
Charities and education providers say young carers should be eligible for welfare when they
study more than 21 hours a week.
Young carers in England and Wales are being blocked from staying in education and going to
college or university by benefit rules that unfairly penalise them, according to a coalition of
charities and education providers.
The group of more than 200 organisations and representatives is lobbying ministers to exempt
young carers – those aged 16 to 24 who often look after relatives – from the rule that makes them
ineligible for the government’s carer’s allowance if they study for more than 21 hours a week.
The rule means young carers cannot take a full course of A-levels, BTecs or T-levels like their
peers, because it would require supervised study for more than the permitted 21 hours.
An estimated 37,000 young people in England and Wales provide more than 50 hours of care
each week, most often to a family member. Few of them are able to go on to further study after
leaving school.
Sarah, from Liverpool, was 14 when her mother was incapacitated with multiple sclerosis,
leaving her to look after younger sister as well. The pressure and lack of support led to Sarah
dropping out of school at 16, unable to take her GCSEs. Now 21, Sarah wants to get back into
education and hopes to become a nurse, but her mother still requires care.
Link: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/mar/17/young-carers-england-and-wales-
education-benefit-rules
100. American International School received at least $145M from parents via fund-
raising scheme: official
Around 900 parents had paid a total VND3.6 trillion (US$145 million) for their children to study
at the American International School Vietnam (AISVN) from first to 12th grades, the education
department said.
Nguyen Van Hieu, director of HCMC's Department of Education and Training, said at a Tuesday
meeting organized by the HCMC People's Committee, that the private school has three methods
of raising funds.
The first method allows parents to pay a full package of VND4 billion ($160,417) for each child
to study there from first to 12th grades. After graduation or when the students switch schools, the
money would be refunded.
The second method allows parents to pay VND2 billion for their children to study all the way
from first to 12th grade. However, the money would not be refunded.
The third method allows parents to pay for their children's tuition by each year, in accordance
with their study progress.
"Around 900 students have had their tuition paid in VND4 billion packages," Hieu said, adding
that AISVN has around 1,316 students from kindergarten to 12th grades.
The school made headlines in recent weeks after its teachers went on strike over unpaid salaries
and insurance, causing classes to be disrupted.
AISVN, established in 2006, provides curriculums under the International Baccalaureate
program.
The school's tuition is VND280-350 million a year for kindergarteners, VND450-500 million a
year for primary school levels, and VND600-725 million for middle and high school levels.
Link: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/education/aisvn-had-received-at-least-160-000-from-parents-
4729737.html