EDUCONNECT 2 June 2021

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The latest news and updates in higher education across the globe

HIGHLIGHTS

  • COVID-19 second wave in India is slowing down with new active cases falling below the 0.15 million mark.
  • As of 24th May, over 198 mn vaccines for COVID-19 are administered in India, approximately 3.1% of the country’s population.
  • Grade 12 Board Exams update: Considering the current pandemic scenario and the safety of the students, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and CISCE cancels Class 12 board exams.
  • In a move to help students who have got admissions in universities abroad get inoculated, Mumbai Municipal Corporation will arrange three day free walk-in vaccine drives starting 31st May.
  • Bangladesh to take the final decision on the opening of schools this week.
  • South Africa plans to introduce significant reforms in school examinations. Kenyan schools all set to reopen as per planned Education Ministry’s calendar as coronavirus cases drop.
  • UK Universities have recommended returning students to get vaccinated before arriving in the country.
  • Australia’s Budget Papers forecast states that international students can return to the country in “small phased programs” during the second half of the year.

ASIA UPDATES: Second COVID-19 Wave in India Shows Signs of Ebbing

In a recent development, the Government of India has decided to cancel Grade 12 board exams for CBSE and ICSE after exhaustive consideration. The government will take a holistic and clearly defined approach to declare the results. It is expected that the government will use the reference of a three-year performance i.e. marks of 11, 10 and 9 to calculate the results. However, a clear announcement regarding the same is awaited.

Due to the emergence of a new Covid wave in Asia and associated lockdowns to combat the same, universities across Pakistan, Srilanka and Afghanistan have postponed their plans to reopen.

With the pandemic situation improving in the country, authorities in Bangladesh will take the final decision on the reopening of schools in the country by the end of this week. Unlike last year, SSC and HSC students in the country will not be given auto-promotion.

Vietnam to promote and implement digital transformation in the nation over a nine year period till 2030. Through a series of initiatives, the government aims to transform educational institutions by improving the quality of online learning programs for easy access to all.

Singapore’s autonomous universities like the Singapore University of Social Sciences, NUS, Singapore Institute of Technology, NTU, Singapore Management University and Singapore University of Technology and Design will be able to give admissions to more students this year as overseas study options remain interrupted by the resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Microsoft has partnered with the Philippines Department of Education (DEPED) to launch a regional skilling program to develop digital skills among the youth and make them more employable.
 

AFRICA UPDATES: Continent Focuses On Revamp Of School Models And Examination Patterns

South Africa’s Department of Basic Education (DBE) is planning a series of changes to the national assessments and examinations in schools across the country. The planned changes include Language Changes, where the department will include the use of bilingual question papers for the first time and the development of an advanced system for generating question papers, known as Item Banking. Other key planned changes include the introduction of Electronic Marking under which marking for national examinations will be done online and permitting Online Applications for certificates.
 
Ghana’s government is planning to launch a series of new model schools to boost education in science, technology, mathematics and engineering. Unlike schools with a traditional classroom environment, these new-age schools will have classrooms with smart boards and personal computers for every student.
 
Amid a drop in new cases of Covid-19 infections, schools in Kenya are set to reopen soon following the Education Ministry’s calendar. Government lifts the lockdown restrictions imposed in April 2021.
 
Tanzania is planning to include digital skills in its study syllabus at all levels of education to produce graduates with relevant skills in emerging digital technologies. The move seeks to enable Tanzanians to engage actively and take full advantage of the opportunities presented by the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
 
Final exams for Grades 9 and 12 students of Egypt will be held in June and July as per an announcement made by the country’s Minister of Education and Technical Education, Tarek Shawky.
 
Key stakeholders in Nigeria’s education system have called for enhanced access using a combination of online learning and private partnership education funding for tertiary institutions. About 200 students graduated from the virtual MBA program of the University.
 

STUDY DESTINATIONS UPDATE: International Student Travel Plans Still Under Cloud

Universities in the UK have recommended that international students should get themselves vaccinated before coming to the country. Several American universities have also announced that all returning students who are vaccinated will be allowed faster access to in-person classes and events on the campus. However, those not vaccinated on arrival would be required to do so after arriving in the country.
 
The European Union (EU) has eased travel restrictions for vaccinated non-EU visitors, providing a major relief to Indian students of Universities in Germany, France, Netherlands and Italy. However, only the Covishield vaccine features in the list of vaccines approved by the EU. India’s 2nd major vaccine Covaxin does not feature in the list.
 
According to an economic forecast in Australia’s Budget Papers, international students will only be able to return to the country in “small phased programs” during the second half of the year and numbers of international students will increase gradually from mid 2022.
 
Among travel updates from other countries, Malaysian students travelling overseas for studies have to apply for a travel pass.
 

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