Here are the news updates as they were published by the dailies on November 2^nd

The Guardian

Is tertiary education a right?

In the colonial days of yore, the British possessing few personnel adopted indirect rule which necessitated the use of the natives to uphold the tenets of their administration.

This made them to invest heavily in education as the locals needed to have basic literacy and numerical skills to be able to easily communicate with them and faithfully execute their public policies.

Iceland boss urges Sunak to extend free school meals as ‘critical priority’

Rishi Sunak should extend free school meals to all families on universal credit to help with the cost of living crisis, the boss of the UK supermarket chain Iceland has said.

Richard Walker, who is also standing to be a Conservative MP and currently sits on the prime minister’s business council, said he would like to see free school meals extended as a “critical priority”.

NUS president ousted over antisemitism allegations

The National Union of Students has ousted its president after a long-running independent inquiry into allegations of antisemitism found “significant breaches” of the organisation’s policies.

The allegations of misconduct are thought to centre around past comments by Shaima Dallali, in some cases dating back 10 years before her election as NUS president in March this year.

Still on The Guardian

Affirmative action appears in jeopardy after US supreme court hearing

The survival of affirmative action in higher education appeared to be in serious trouble on Monday at a conservative-dominated US supreme court after hours of debate over difficult questions of race.

The court is weighing challenges to admissions programs at the University of North Carolina and Harvard University that use race among many factors in seeking a diverse student body.

To read more visit https://www.theguardian.com/law/2022/oct/31/us-supreme-court-affirmative-action-universities

PREMIUM TIMES

ASUU Strike: Lecturers, students unmotivated but traders excited as Nigerian universities reopen

Following the suspension of the prolonged strike of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the authorities of the concerned universities have in the past two weeks announced the resumption of activities in the institutions.

Many revised their academic calendars and ordered the immediate resumption of academic activities with the aim of covering the lost ground.

Kwankwaso unveils manifesto, presents position on restructuring, education, security

The presidential candidate of New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Kwankwaso, has unveiled his manifesto ahead of the 2023 general elections.

Mr Kwankwaso, at the unveiling ceremony of the 152-page document titled “My Pledges To You” on Tuesday, promised to listen more and allow Nigerians to dictate the tune of his administration.

Kwara Poly debunks report of students’ protest as fake

The management of Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, has dismissed a viral report which insinuated that students of the institution staged a protest over an epileptic power supply in the Sango-Elekoyangan area of Ilorin on Tuesday, November 1, 2022.

The report was debunked by the institution’s Public Relations Officer Halimat Garba via a statement released on Tuesday.

Still on PREMIUM TIMES

Nigeria needs prayers from US, not terror alert – Defence Minister

The Minister of Defence, Bashir Magashi has said that what Nigeria needs from the United States government is prayers and not a terror alert that will ‘confuse’ Nigerians.

Magashi made the assertion while responding to questions from members of the House of Representatives Committee on Defence during the budget hearing on Tuesday.

NNN

Gashua varsity resumes, approves 140 as cut-off mark for 2022/2023 session

The Gashua University in Yobe resumed academic activities on Tuesday and approved 140 as cut-off mark for the 20222023 academic session.

A statement by the varsity’s Spokesman, Mr Adamu Saleh in Gashua on Wednesday, said the mark was for all courses in the institution.

Kaduna Govt reintroduced school fees in senior secondary schools

The Kaduna State Government on Tuesday announced the reintroduction of school fees in senior secondary schools across the state.

The Commissioner for Education, Hajiya Halima Lawal, made this known in a letter to the Principals of Secondary Schools, obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria in Kaduna.

Still on NNN

UNICEF, Adamawa develop Education Development Plan

United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in collaboration with Adamawa government have developed the 2023 – 2025 State Education Sector Operational Plan (SESOP).

UNICEF’s Education Specialist in Adamawa, Mr Jeol Jutum said this during the validation of the document on Tuesday in Yola.

TRIBUNE

Edo Varsity To Graduate 283 Students

The Edo State University, Uzairue, in Etsako West Local Government Area of the State, on Tuesday announced that it would be graduating 283 students during its 2021/2022 academic session convocation ceremony scheduled for November 5, 2022.

The Vice Chancellor of the institution, Professor Emmanuel Aluyor, disclosed this at a press briefing to mark the 4th convocation ceremony of the school.

BBC

Covid: Uni students’ legal action over pandemic education

Thousands of students are taking legal action against their universities over their education during the pandemic.

The University of Nottingham is one of 18 institutions set to face claims.

Wells Park School: £400k of contracts went to business associates

Nearly £400,000 of work commissioned by a school went to business associates and family of senior leaders, an investigation found.

Essex County Council investigated Wells Park boarding school, for primary-age children with behavioural issues, following whistleblower allegations.

Cost of living crisis: ‘I study, work in Home Bargains and care for mum’

Unpaid carers needs better recognition, a social care student who looks after his mother has said.

Dustin McCauley-Brown from Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, studies full time and works in Home Bargains at the weekend.

To read more visit https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-63471475

US Supreme Court takes up race-based college admissions

The US Supreme Court has heard two cases that could dramatically alter the extent to which universities can consider an applicant’s race during the admissions process.

The eventual ruling could end decades-old affirmative action policies and significantly affect how universities manage admissions.

Teachers at Aberdeen school balloted over pupils’ ‘violent’ behaviour

Teachers at an Aberdeen school are being balloted for industrial action over what a union has described as violence against staff.

The Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) said there were serious concerns over the safety of staff at Northfield Academy.

To read more visit https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-63456140

Still on BBC

Powys: Schools may go online one day a week to cut costs

Pupils could be taught online one day a week to help schools balance the books, a council has suggested.

Wearing coats in classrooms and leaving jobs unfilled are other cost saving ideas sent to headteachers in Powys in a briefing document.

To read more visit https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-63464742