Global Initiative Bi-weekly site updates

                                                                                                February 24th to March 3rd, 2025

Lebanon 


Israel bombs ‘military targets’ in southern Syria, outside Damascus
   The Israeli military has conducted air raids targeting what it described as military bases and command centres in southern Syria and outside the capital, Damascus.

Israeli warplanes hit the town of Kisweh, approximately 20km (12 miles) south of Damascus, as well as the southern province of Deraa late on Tuesday, residents, security sources and local broadcaster Syria TV said. The Israeli army said it struck “military targets in southern Syria, including command centres and multiple sites containing weapons”, without specifying exact locations. Residents of Damascus reported hearing the sound of planes flying several low passes over the capital and a series of blasts.


Lebanon’s new government wins confidence vote in parliament

Lebanon’s new government has won a confidence vote in parliament, following a speech by Prime Minister Nawaf Salam promising to push for economic reforms and to start negotiations with the International Monetary Fund.

Salam’s government won the backing of 95 lawmakers in the 128-seat chamber late on Wednesday. Lebanon’s political landscape has been overturned since Hezbollah, long a dominant player in Lebanese politics, was badly pummeled in last year’s war with Israel. The new government’s policy statement, as such, did not include language used in previous years that was seen as legitimising a role for Hezbollah in defending Lebanon. “We want a state that holds the exclusive authority over decisions on war and peace, a state loyal to the constitution and national accord ensuring the implementation of unfulfilled provisions,” Salam said before parliament.


South Africa


Universities under pressure as students demand financial relief South African higher education institutions have been engulfed in student protests about financial exclusions, accommodation shortages and registration challenges.The University of Pretoria (UP) announced on Thursday that the first fee payment deadline had been extended to 28 February. The UP vice-chancellor and executive approved the decision after a formal request by the Student Representative Council (SRC). This was to ease financial pressure on students.“We recognise the challenges that many students face. This extension provides us with additional time to intensify our efforts in securing financial support,” the UP SRC stated. It is also focusing on fundraising initiatives to assist students struggling with tuition fees.

Rwanda

The number of foreign students in Rwanda’s higher learning institutions and universities increased from 1,397 in the 2016/2017 academic year, to 9,109 in 2023/2024, according to a report approved by the lower chamber of Parliament on Wednesday, February 26. Such data implies that foreign learners, who mainly come to acquire tertiary education in Rwanda, increased by 6.52 times in seven years. The parliamentary report consists of an analysis of the implementation of Rwanda’s 2003 education policy and 2017/2024 education sector strategic plan. The report was provided by the house’s standing committee on education, technology, culture, sports and youth which assessed the application of both the education


HEC reviewing process for academic qualification equivalences

To address challenges in the accreditation and issuance of equivalences for academic qualification, the Higher Education Council (HEC) is developing a new system to streamline and enhance its verification process. This new system, being developed in collaboration with Irembo, is expected to be in place by the end of this year, according to Edward Kadozi, HEC Director General. Kadozi said this on Tuesday, February 18, during a session in the Senate.

He was responding to concerns about whether HEC has been denying and delaying equivalences to degrees earned by Rwandan students who studied abroad. Kadozi said the new system will address challenges in the accreditation and equivalence process, particularly regarding delays and verification of certificates and diplomas. “As of today, we do not have a set timeline that guarantees when an accreditation request will be processed,” he said.


Kenya


University funding model dilemma sparks fear of cash crunch

Students who sat their Form Four examinations last year face uncertainty on when to join universities. The government was hanging on the hope that the Court of Appeal would grant permission to proceed with the new university funding model.

“The intake for universities is set for September, and we believe that once we get a ruling on Monday, we will be able to prepare and ensure students will be in university in good time,” Kenya University and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) Chief Executive Mercy Wahome last week told the  Education Committee of the National Assembly.


Malawi


Tech and Talent: Lessons from Indonesia and the Path Forward for Malawi

UNESCO, in partnership with UNICEF and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology in Indonesia, invited 20 countries to participate in a three-day Gateways Study Visit in Bali, Indonesia.

The visit was conducted under the framework of the Gateways for Public Digital Learning Initiative, aimed at showcasing how Indonesia is leveraging digital platforms to enhance the equity and quality of education across a country of over 275 million people. As a member of the Gateways initiative, Malawi was invited to participate, represented by Dr. Joshua Valeta, Director of the Directorate of Open and Distance e-Learning (DODeL), and myself as the Country Lead for The EdTech Hub in Malawi.


India


New National Education Policy

The “New Education Policy 2025” signifies a transformative step in the educational trajectory of the nation. Addressing the dynamic requirements of the modern era, this policy places renewed emphasis on holistic learning, digital literacy, and skill development.

The preparation of the policy for education in schools and colleges falls under the purview of the New Education Policy (NEP), which the Government of India updated in 2024. The new policy includes significant changes aimed at positioning India as a global knowledge superpower.

As part of the policy, the Ministry of Human Resource Management has been renamed the Ministry of Education. Education from preschool to secondary school will be universalised to achieve a 100% Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) in school education by 2030, except for medical and law studies.



End!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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