Displaying items by tag: Education

On 21 August pupils across England, Wales and Northern Ireland received GCSE, BTec and other Level 2 results. The GCSE pass rate is similar to last year, which saw a third consecutive decline after the Covid pandemic. With more 16-year-olds in the population and rising demand for sixth form places, competition is fierce. Some colleges have expanded capacity, but others warn they will have to turn students away. Concerns over possible VAT on private school fees may also drive more families toward state provision. Education secretary Bridget Phillipson praised pupils’ resilience but condemned entrenched inequalities, noting that only 19% of white British working-class children achieved strong passes in maths and English in 2024 - virtually unchanged from 2017. About 170,000 students have received BTec results and 110,000 Cambridge Nationals, while in Scotland exam pass rates have risen. For many students who began secondary school during lockdown, these results mark the culmination of years of disrupted learning, testing both their determination and the system’s ability to provide equal opportunity.

Bullying remains a pervasive and deadly problem in Malaysia’s schools, with thousands of cases recorded annually and incidents escalating to violence and even death. Despite public outrage, policy gaps and weak enforcement allow abuse to persist, including in elite institutions. Victims suffer long-term psychological harm, while perpetrators may develop behavioural problems and criminal tendencies. Research shows nearly 80% of Malaysian students have been involved in bullying, often as both victims and aggressors. Teachers, while crucial for prevention, can sometimes contribute to the problem, highlighting the need for systemic reform. Unlike many Asian neighbors, Malaysia lacks comprehensive anti-bullying laws. Experts     recommend strict legislation, independent investigations, national reporting systems, whistleblower protections, school-based mental health support, educator training, and transparent accountability. Without decisive reform, tragedies like the recent death of Form One student Zara Qairina will continue to erode public trust and student safety.

Students across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland have received their A-level, T-level, and BTec National results, with top grades once again rising slightly (28.3%, up from 27.8% in 2024). Despite ongoing recovery from the Covid disruption, a record number of 18-year-olds are predicted to gain entry to their first-choice universities. This year’s cohort faced unique challenges: lower GCSE grades due to efforts to reduce pandemic-era grade inflation, and years of interrupted learning during national lockdowns. Education secretary Bridget Phillipson acknowledged persistent inequalities, particularly for white working-class students, and pledged continued reforms. The results also mark the fourth year of vocational T-level qualifications, which blend academic study with industry experience. Many students have used these pathways to secure jobs and prepare for future careers. Universities, seeking stability amid uncertain international admissions, may be more flexible in accepting students, with leaders urging recognition of the extraordinary circumstances these young people have overcome.

As the back-to-school season approaches, a major debt advice charity is urging the Government to introduce a statutory school uniform grant for England. While families in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland receive support of £93 to £200 per child, just 22 out of 153 English councils offer any dedicated help, creating a postcode lottery of support. The average uniform cost now exceeds £340 for primary pupils and £450 for secondary students. Money Wellness says current Department for Education reforms, such as limiting branded items, will not be enough for low-income households. With council budgets under pressure, many families are turning to uniform banks for affordable or donated items. Some families welcome the destigmatisation of second-hand clothing and its environmental benefits. Campaigners stress that without a consistent national scheme, children risk being disadvantaged based on where they live.

Schools across England are struggling to provide nutritious meals as rising costs outpace government funding for free school lunches. Michael Hales, incoming chair of the Lead Association for Catering in Education (LACE), reports caterers are reducing meat portions, using cheaper ingredients, and serving smaller meals to cope with financial shortfalls. While the government recently announced an expanded free meals programme - potentially benefiting an additional 500,000 children by 2026 - the funding increase of just 3p per meal, to £2.61, falls far below actual costs, estimated at £3.45 per meal. Headteachers say they are having to divert tens of thousands of pounds from educational resources to cover meal deficits. Parents, expressing concern over declining meal quality and nutrition, have called for significant investment in school food programmes. Regional disparities further complicate matters, with higher funding rates in London, Wales, and Scotland. Without intervention, schools will struggle to meet government food standards and ensure children receive the healthy meals essential for learning and well-being.

Starting in September 2026, all children in England whose parents receive Universal Credit will be eligible for free school meals, regardless of income. This change, announced by the Government, is expected to benefit around 500,000 more pupils and save families up to £500 a year. Education secretary Bridget Phillipson said the initiative will help lift 100,000 children out of poverty, though some analysts cast doubt on that figure. Currently, free school meal eligibility is limited to families earning under £7,400 annually. The reform marks a major shift and is part of a broader strategy to address child poverty. However, the Government faces pressure to go further - especially regarding the two-child benefit cap. While many charities and education leaders welcomed the move as a vital step, they stressed the need for automatic enrolment and additional support to ensure no child goes hungry. £1 billion has been set aside to fund the change up to 2029, with further announcements expected in Rachel Reeves’s forthcoming spending review.

Donald Trump’s administration has ordered US embassies to halt new student visa appointments as it prepares to expand social media vetting of international applicants. The move is part of a broader crackdown on US universities, which Trump accuses of harbouring left-wing and antisemitic sentiment amid pro-Palestinian campus protests. Embassies are directed to cancel unscheduled interviews, with warnings of ‘significant implications’ for visa processing. Critics say this threatens the rights and futures of international students, who often pay higher fees and significantly fund the universities. The administration has frozen millions in university funding, revoked thousands of visas, and moved to deport foreign students - many actions now under legal challenge. Harvard University, a prime target, recently had its ability to host international students suspended, though a federal judge blocked the decision: for a view on how much its international students contribute, see Critics argue the social media screening policy infringes on free speech, while Trump insists it protects national security and combats extremism.

Reform UK’s Greater Lincolnshire mayoral candidate, Dame Andrea Jenkyns, has publicly distanced herself from comments made by party leader Nigel Farage regarding special educational needs (SEND). Farage recently claimed that many childhood SEND and mental health diagnoses are being made too readily, often via virtual consultations, suggesting an overdiagnosis trend. In contrast, Dame Andrea, who has ADHD and whose son also has the condition, highlighted her personal experience and highlighted the long delays many families face in obtaining assessments and support, often resulting in children falling far behind in school. She stressed that not all party members must agree on every issue, and described pulling her son out of mainstream education because he was two years behind. Her remarks underscore ongoing national debates around SEND provision, access to diagnoses, and support for neurodiverse children. In related news, spending on disability benefits for anxiety and depression has doubled since the pandemic: see

Around fifty Christians protested outside Norwood Primary School in Eastleigh, after the school cancelled its traditional Easter bonnet parade and church service. Headteacher Stephanie Mander informed parents that the decision aimed to foster an inclusive environment, opting instead for classroom lessons and craft activities about the meaning of Easter. Protesters accused the school of marginalising Christianity. Banners declared messages like 'Jesus is King' and 'Let’s cancel her’, referring to the headteacher. Protesters distributed Easter eggs and prayed collectively at the end of the demonstration. A smaller counter-protest of parents defended the school’s decision, citing concerns about promoting division and noting financial pressures on families that may have influenced the cancellation. Police were present, but no arrests were made. The event has reignited broader concerns among some Christians about feeling increasingly sidelined within educational institutions and society at large.

Parents of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are challenging the Government in the High Court over the imposition of 20% VAT on private school fees. The Education Not Taxation campaign argues the policy disproportionately harms SEND families, many of whom are making significant financial sacrifices to access specialised education their children can't receive in state schools. Families testified to working seven days a week and missing precious time with their children just to afford tuition. The campaign estimates around 35,000 SEND pupils could be forced out of private schools due to the new tax, into a state system already described as 'in crisis.' While the Treasury argues the tax will raise £1.5 to £1.7 billion a year, families insist it's a breach of their rights and deeply unfair to vulnerable children. The case continues in the courts.