Bullying: Children point finger at adults


Children want adults to show each other more respect, with four out of 10 (41%) seeing grown-ups bullying each other in the past six months, a survey says.

Research among 1,001 children aged 11 to 16 by the Anti-Bullying Alliance suggests worrying numbers of children see adults setting a bad example.

Children in that age group highlighted adults who behaved poorly to each other face-to-face, online or in the media.

Some 97% said they would like to see more respect shown between grown-ups.

The survey is published ahead of the annual charity push against bullying, Anti-Bullying Week, which begins on Monday, November 12.

It comes after many reports of a bullying culture in numerous high-profile workplaces in England, including the Palace of Westminster

‘Show respect’

Martha Evans, director of the Anti-Bullying Alliance, said: “Children look to parents and other grown-ups for a blueprint of acceptable behaviour.

“If a considerable number of children say they see adults bullying and being disrespectful to each other, we have to ask whether grown-ups could do more to act as role models to children.

NATIONAL SCHOOL FEEDING PROGRAMME TO BECOME AFRICA’S LARGEST BY END OF 2018, SAYS VP OSINBAJO


* Over 9m primary pupils benefiting in 26 states already

* Over $183million has been invested so far

* 95,422 cooks and over 100,000 smallholder farmers benefitting

He added, “it is becoming clearer that the 21st Century will be defined by knowledge and skills. The nations that are best able to present the most knowledgeable and most skilful citizens will prevail in commerce, in science and technology and of course, will enjoy the greatest prosperity and the longevity to enjoy the prosperity. Nations that do not invest enough to produce the required level of talent and skills will be left behind. A farther distance than ever before in the history of mankind.”

By the end of 2018, with the number of new States in the country joining the National Homegrown School Feeding Programme, it is set to become the largest school-feeding programme in Africa, says Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN. He stated this in Tunisia, where he delivered a keynote address at the closing ceremony of the 20th Annual Global Child Nutrition Forum held at Four Seasons hotel in Tunis, stating that the programme “has been by all accounts, a remarkable success.” Speaking on the philosophy underlying the Programme, Prof Osinbajo told the 353 delegates from 9 countries, which include experts in the nutrition industry, United Nations officials from World Food Programme, Global Child Nutrition Fund, the World Bank and stakeholders that “Nigeria took the decision to embark on a school feeding programme as an important part of our human capital development agenda, by tackling the broader issues of eradication of poverty, food and nutrition security, and increasing school enrollment.”

Felabration opens in Lagos with secondary schools debate


As part of the celebrations to mark the 80th posthumous birthday of Nigerian musical icon, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, students from secondary schools in Lagos State debated on the theme, “Should State Police be introduced in Nigeria?”

The debate, which took place at Freedom Park in Lagos, was part of the annual music festival, Felabration, which commemorates the life and times of the Afrobeat legend.

Felabration was conceived in 1998 by Yeni Anikulapo-Kuti in memory and celebration of her father, Fela.

No fewer than 10 public and private secondary schools across Lagos participated in the debate

Music school grants for poor students going to ‘comfortable middle class’


At the age of eight she passed the auditions to the Yehudi Menuhin music school near Cobham, within commuting distance of home. Because her parents were unemployed, Petrovic received a full bursary to cover the fees. Now in the sixth form, she plans to go to the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and work in outreach to encourage music in state schools and institutions such as prisons.

Petrovic, 19, benefited from the government’s music and dance scheme (MDS), a £172m annual fund established to help “ensure that talented children and young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and families with limited financial means” have the opportunity to attend one of eight independent music or dance schools.

Full article

Kaduna Govt recruits PhD holder as primary school teacher


The Kaduna State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology,  Mallam Ja’afaru Sani, said the government has recruited additional 13,606 qualified primary school teachers, including a PhD holder in the state.

Sani said the exercise marked the completion of the 25,000 vacancy announced after the sack of the 22,000 unqualified teachers in the state in January, this year.

The Commissioner also noted that in addition to the PhD holder, 8,494 of the 25,000 recruited teachers were first degree holders while the remaining were National Certificate in Education holders.

Addressing news conference in Kaduna on Saturday, Sani also announced that the state had commenced full implementation of free education for girls in the public secondary schools across the state.

Rewards don’t improve school attendance


Image result for 'Rewards don't improve school attendance'It’s the back-to-school season – and many young people may be feeling reluctant about returning for the start of another academic year. Many schools there are deliberate attempts to boost attendance by giving rewards, school prizes and commendations to those who have the best records for not missing any lessons.

But do such prizes really change behaviour?

According to a large-scale study of secondary school students in California in the US, awards for good school attendance seem to make no significant difference – and in some circumstances, could make absenteeism worse.

The study, published by the Harvard Kennedy School of Government in Massachusetts, examined the effect of rewards schemes on more than 15,000 students in 14 school districts in California.

‘Demotivating’

Researchers, including Carly Robinson, found that if prizes were promised in advance, it made no difference to whether pupils attended.

If the rewards were retrospective, in recognition of high levels of attendance, it seemed to have a negative impact on the winners’ future school attendance.

Full article: https://www.bbc.com/news/business-45326487

With baby in tow, 24-year-old single mom graduates from Harvard Law School


Not many 1-year-olds can say they attended a graduation—and in Harvard Law School, at that.

Little Evelyn, dressed in a toga and an academic cap, earned her spot to be at the commencement exercises: after all, she had attended some classes with her mom, 24-year-old Briana Williams.

Williams, a single mother, was teary-eyed and beamed brightly as she carried Evelyn after receiving her Juris Doctor degree.

 “To say that my last year of law school, with a newborn and as a single mom was a challenge would be an understatement,” she recounted in her Instagram post.

“I went into labor in April—during final exam period. I immediately requested an epidural so that my contractions wouldn’t interfere with my Family Law grade,” she said. “And, with tears in my eyes, I finished it.”

“Some days I was so mentally and emotionally fatigued that I did not leave my bed,” she admitted.

The logistics of having an infant and studying was a challenge, and at times she would leave her baby in a stroller at the Dean of Students’ office to attend class. Otherwise, “Evie” sat in with her. 

Full Article : http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/296024/baby-tow-24-year-old-single-mom-graduates-harvard-law-school/

Students ordered to vacate hostels as University of Ibadan shuts medical school


Medicals students of the University of Ibadan have been ordered to vacate their hostels as the institution closed its medical school – The students were ordered to vacate their hostels by 12 noon on Sunday, April 8 – The closure was recommended considering the security threat that the students’ agitation against school fees could pose The University of Ibadan (UI) on Sunday, April 8, closed its medical school, directing students to vacate hostels by noon on the same day. The directive is contained in a release signed by the institution’s registrar, Olujinmi Olukoya, and made available to newsmen in Ibadan.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the release was, however, neither dated nor written on the official letterhead of the university. The academic board of the College of Medicine, UI, considered the possible security threat that the students’ agitation against school fees could pose. Thus, they recommended the closure