Stories about Education from March, 2009
Japan: The work of art in the age of digital reproduction
A cross-generational debate over the value of art, and culture in general, has arisen among users of the social bookmarking service Hatena. The debate, originated by an anonymous entry titled: ehm… Isn`t it weird the idea that we have to pay money for music?, has brought many bloggers to ask...
China:Parliament ridiculed for its fancy proposals
The Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the nation's parliament of more than 2,000 delegates, ended in Beijing on 12, March, with pledges to help maintain steady and relatively speedy economic development in 2009. Top national leaders such as Hu Jingtao, Premier Wen Jiabao were present at the closing ceremony. (Xinhua)...
China: Student Forced to Quit School Due to Blogging?
A Beijing Foreign Studies University female student wrote in her blog on 16 of March that she was forced to quit school because of her blog post that criticized the department of education. However, is she telling the true? What is the other side of the story? more via ESWN's...
Latvia: Crisis and Hot Water
Latvian Abroad writes about “signs of crisis in everyday life”: “A Latvian college whose funding has been cut by 30-something % cuts off the hot water in the student dormitories.”
Antigua & Barbuda: Election Lessons
playing with ink is glad the Antigua election is over, but still has a few nagging questions: “How much has been spent and wasted in this election campaign and how much difference could we have made to the lives of our most vulnerable with it?”
Trinidad & Tobago: Lack of Clear Vision
“Trinidad is so small that we can’t find criminals. We can’t find missing children. We can’t find a functional government or a serious opposition”: Attillah Springer is convinced that we are macoing but not seeing.
Armenia: International Women's Day action sparks virginity debate
Although couples now marry at a later age than before, some traditions have been slow to change in Christian Armenia. One custom, for example, expects women -- but not men -- to remain virgins until their wedding night. However, a recent rally to mark International Women’s Day after which red apples were buried, a symbol of the bride losing her virginity, has prompted intense discussion in the Armenian blogosphere.
Iran: In Defence of the Bahá'í Minority
The Bahá'í minority in Iran has long been under pressure, and it seems the situation has become worse. Iranian authorities recently accused seven leaders of the Bahá'í faith of espionage. The Bahá'í themselves say they are being persecuted because of their religion.
Armenia: Anti-corruption student protest?
Unzipped comments on an apparent anti-corruption action staged by members of a pro-government youth movement against allegedly corrupt university lecturers in Armenia. Global Voices Online's Caucasus editor also reports on the action on the Frontline Club blog.
Dominica: Carib Village
Repeating Islands’ Blog pays a visit to Touna, a living Carib village in Dominica.
Puerto Rico: Limited Thinking
Is Puerto Rico poor? Gil the Jenius has his say.
Haiti: Responding with Love
“Who is to blame? To me that is an irrelevant question. The question should be, how can I respond with love?”: The Livesay [Haiti] Weblog is shocked by “how ignorant many people in the developed world still are about AIDS.”
International Women's Day in Tunisian Blogs
Tunisia celebrates its National Day for Women on August 13. Calls are now being echoed in the blogosphere to join international women in their celebration and mark the day with the rest of the world on March 8, reports Lina Ben Mhenni.
Malaysia: Police used teargas to disperse rallyists
More than 8,000 Malaysians trooped to the streets to oppose the proposal to use the English language in teaching Math and Science in schools. The police used tear gas to disperse the crowd.
Anguilla, Jamaica: Student Safety
“Will draconian measures actually increase security and comfort, or will they destroy our sense of community and undermine security?”: Corruption-free Anguilla wonders if increased security at one particular school will help students learn better, while Long Bench is appalled at the negligence involved in the schoolyard death of a child...
Brazil: Introducing the Web, a “Digital Baptism”
A "Digital Baptism" workshop brought digital inclusion to Belo Horizonte, the capital of the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais this Saturday, introducing the basics of using a computer to those who had never had the chance before or teaching more advanced tools to more advanced users. See some pictures and videos from the action packed day.
Egypt: The AUC Gestapo
Socialist revolutionist and Hossam El Hamalawy wrote their concerns over the relocation of American University in Cairo (AUC) from downtown Cairo to the desert. They also highlighted the story of the six workers who died during the four years it took to build the new campus, based on an article...
Liberia: Getting another chance at education
Emily writes about Liberian youth getting another chance at education, “A vocational training school nestled in the mountains in Yekepa and ravaged during Liberia’s civil war is being restored to its former self. This March, 100 students ages 13 to 25 will come to live here and learn to be...
Kenya: Video game teaches youth to avoid AIDS
Pamoja Mtaani (Together in the Hood) is a video game that teaches Kenyan youth how to avoid contracting HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.
Paraguay: “A Pencil for Me” Campaign for School Supplies
El Yacare [es] writes about a campaign called “A Pencil for Me” in Mbya indigenous communities in Paraguay to help provide children with school supplies.
Jamaica: Self-Esteem
Jamaican blogger/writer Geoffrey Philp gives kids a valuable lesson in self-esteem.