Education: A Mirror of Society

US Principal Bags 20 Years Sentences For His Role In Exams Cheating

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="mobile-photo" style="text-align: justify;">
<img alt="" border="0" height="225" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6137882395268184514" loading="lazy" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHNigdmCZhKas_ri1AyYvbDX9kCl-3UNjwXFqja5fJP9LovmTdrNEj8Ifue7xYPDOtZd9_8hDLH18zNmuXw48oeINmK7NW21cC3xFHbfpPdeKQY5WGh_EJEQQuy-EEaqqgTgrhO6FJAf4/s320/images-708524.jpeg" width="320" /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Lengthy prison sentences was handed down to eight former school educators and principal by an angry judge for their conviction on racketeering charges. The trial is the biggest test-cheating trial in United State history and such lengthy prison sentences were unusual for teachers, but it was also an emotional trial with the judge describing the teachers actions "like the sickest thing to have ever happen to this town (Atlanta)".
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Among other charges, the educators were found guilty by a jury, of altering test scores and erasing students' wrong answers to favour higher scores in order to meet the test target. The principal and educators in return got cash bonuses and promotions for their 'students outstanding performances'.
</div>
<h4 style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Harsh Sentences
</span></h4>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The Superior Court Judge, Jerry Baxter offered the defendant an opportunity of lighter sentences if they apologize to the community, two of the defendant took the offer and apologize in court and the rest eight received harsher judgment after failing to tender an apology.
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The Judge gave three of the educators convicted in the scandal 20-year sentences with seven years to be served in prison and the rest on probation. The rest five teachers, got five-year sentences, with two ordered to serve two years in prison and three to serve one year.
</div>
<h4 style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Widespread Malpractices
</span></h4>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Investigators say that cheating was so endemic that more than half of the district schools in Atlanta were implicated and some members of staff even held erasure parties where incorrect answers on exams were altered. This revelation prompt schools throughout the United State to enact measures guarding against cheating.  Many have however,claim that the standardised tests common in the US set unrealistic goals in public schools, giving the teachers, the pretense to help students excel.</div>
</div>

US Principal Bags 20 Years Sentences For His Role In Exams Cheating

Lengthy prison sentences was handed down to eight former school educators and principal by an angry judge for their conviction on rack...

Malala's Letter To Chibok Kidnapped School Girls

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<img alt="bring back our girls chibok school girls malala poster" height="225" loading="lazy" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcNOj_xAbQ6O7ek_YJb2GSgv4MYKPPPANlpuMjhkpO1JKeFAKIpSsSCgx793cMjuqVttCsi1Jh_K2UJuDdDpr0_ySYSch-fsH6isCqraaCHgx-GveTOGpBZP3skouS6g4d2rIVRSnTuXE/s320/140507154527-aman-malala-yousafzai-bring-bac-our-girls-hp-video-725322.jpg" title="Malala " width="400" /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
To my brave sisters, <br /> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
the kidnapped schoolgirls of Chibok, </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
On this first anniversary of your captivity, I write to you with a message of solidarity, love and hope. My name is Malala. I am a Pakistani girl your age. I am one of the millions of people around the world who keep you and your families foremost in our thoughts and prayers. We cannot imagine the full extent of the horrors you have endured. But please know this: We.will never forget you. We will always stand with you. Today and every day, we call on the Nigerian authorities and the international community to do more to bring you home. We will not rest until you have been reunited with your families. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Like you, I was a target of militants who did not want girls to go to school. Gunmen shot me and two of my friends on a school bus. All three of us survived and are back in school. Now we speak out on behalf of all girls about the right to get a proper education. Our campaign will continue until you and all girls and boys around the world are able to access a free, safe and quality secondary education. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Last July, I spent my 17th birthday in Nigeria with some of your parents and five of your classmates who escaped the kidnapping. Your parents are grief-stricken. They love you, and they miss you. My father and I wept and prayed with your parents -- and they touched our hearts. The escapee schoolgirls my father and I met impressed us with their resolve to overcome their challenges and to complete their high school education. My father and I promised your parents and the girls who had escaped that we would do all we could to help them.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I met Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan and urged him to work harder for your freedom. I also asked President Jonathan to meet your parents and the girls who escaped the kidnapping, which he did a few days later. Still, in my opinion, Nigerian leaders and the international community have not done enough to help you. They must do much more to help secure your release. I am among many people pressuring them to make sure you are freed. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
There are reasons for hope and optimism. Nigerian forces are re-gaining territory and protecting more schools. Nigeria's newly-elected president, Muhammadu Buhari, has vowed to make securing your freedom a top priority and promised his government will not tolerate violence against women and girls. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"You will have the opportunity to receive the education you want and deserve. The Malala Fund and other organizations offered all your classmates who escaped the kidnapping full scholarships to complete their secondary education. Most of the escapee girls accepted this scholarship and are now continuing their studies at a safe boarding school and with the support they need. We hope to someday extend that same scholarship to all 219 of you, when you return home. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Remember that one day your tragic ordeal will end, you will be reunited with your families and friends, and you will have the chance to finish the education you courageously sought. I look forward to the day I can hug each one of you, pray with you, and celebrate your freedom with your families. Until then, stay strong, and never lose hope. You are my heroes.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Your sister, </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Malala</div>
</div>

Malala's Letter To Chibok Kidnapped School Girls

To my brave sisters, the kidnapped schoolgirls of Chibok, On this first anniversary of your captivity, I write to you with a m...

Buhari's Administration Promise Teachers Free Tertiary Education

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The Vice President-elect Professor Yemi Osibanjo lament lack of teachers training and re training drive in the country, according to the him,  “one of the basic problems confronting education in the country was lack of training for teachers in the country especially in the public schools.” </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
He stated this in Lagos at a consultative meeting with the Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, that was well attended by teachers, the All Progressive Congress, APC, Party chieftains including Governor Raji Fashola and Lagos state commissioner of education.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Professor Osibanjo however states the incoming administration's commitment to teachers training. saying "One of the basic problems that we have is the fact that we have not continued with education for teachers – teachers training in particular. That is why this consultation is very important. It is only the beginning of the consultations that I intend to have”.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I asked the Governor for this opportunity because of the very great importance that the Buhari administration will place on education".</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Prof. Osibanjo then promised teachers an opportunity to obtain higher degrees under the Buhari's administration while stressing the importance of continuous education for teachers, saying, “Continuous education for teachers is very important to us. They teach future leaders and the free education will be for teachers who want to go to the universities to learn more".</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
He further noted that education and health are burning issues of national importance that would receive significant boost under the incoming administration.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
“In our manifesto, one thing that is very clear is that we are going to spend a lot time and resources on education, especially public education.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
“Lagos is the model for what we want to do. For example, we have talked about free education for Science, Technology Engineering and Mathematics, STEM,and free education at the tertiary level for teachers,” Professor Osinbajo said.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In his remark, Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Teachers in the state, Mr. Adesegun Raheem pleaded with the Federal Government to invest more in teachers to guarantee development, noting that one of the ways to invest in teachers is making teaching profession very attractive.</div>
</div>

Buhari's Administration Promise Teachers Free Tertiary Education

The Vice President-elect Professor Yemi Osibanjo lament lack of teachers training and re training drive in the country, according to the h...

INCREASING INTERNET SUBSCRIPTION AND ITS POTENTIAL FOR CONTINUE LEARNING IN NIGERIA

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfWkkeCOMAo0hB-nlO1zsRaDJPVcqiOTnuUYnpNSnjiD61QSrwhT5fpynP0sGbsZiqFoTS1Z4xI2WpphFX8LUtSykAKSmxW8zQCVOrKRLnEpnqDfe2D6Y5Ubz4U3qA1qZNcMUKzITFMAE/s640/Internet-1-700x380.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" loading="lazy" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfWkkeCOMAo0hB-nlO1zsRaDJPVcqiOTnuUYnpNSnjiD61QSrwhT5fpynP0sGbsZiqFoTS1Z4xI2WpphFX8LUtSykAKSmxW8zQCVOrKRLnEpnqDfe2D6Y5Ubz4U3qA1qZNcMUKzITFMAE/s640/Internet-1-700x380.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) reported that the number of internet subscriptions on Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) networks increased from about 76.3 million in December 2014 to 81,892,840 in January 2015.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<p class="isSelectedEnd">This represented an increase of more than 5.5 million subscriptions within one month. The subscriptions were shared among the major telecommunications networks at the time—MTN, Globacom, Airtel and Etisalat—with MTN having the largest share of the market.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">Increasing internet subscription and usage in a developing country such as Nigeria has the potential to impact positively on the education sector. By implication, more Nigerians are being exposed to information that could be of academic value and support long-term learning</span>.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><p class="isSelectedEnd">In the absence of concrete statistics on how young Nigerians used the internet at the time, one could reasonably observe that many young users appeared to spend much of their time online reading football and entertainment news or interacting on social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter.</p><p>Educational use often seemed to come second, particularly when students needed answers to school assignments and homework. Some schools with internet connections responded by blocking social networking sites to discourage students from using them during school hours.</p></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><h2>Promoting Educational Use of the Internet</h2><p class="isSelectedEnd">To help Nigerian internet users benefit from the academic and literary potential of the World Wide Web, increased public awareness is necessary.</p><p class="isSelectedEnd">Government agencies such as the National Orientation Agency, the Ministry of Education, the NCC and organisations responsible for digital development could support internet-use orientation programmes. Schools, parents, teachers, telecommunications companies and civil society organisations also have important roles to play.</p><p class="isSelectedEnd">Such programmes should introduce learners to Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) offered through platforms such as edX. They should also create awareness of open educational resources, online libraries, free digital books and resources provided by institutions such as the National Open University of Nigeria.</p><p class="isSelectedEnd">The overall goal should be to encourage a healthy mixture of learning, communication and entertainment on the internet.</p><p class="isSelectedEnd">Without proper digital orientation, the growth in internet access may lead to an increase in unproductive or harmful online activities, particularly among young people. These may include exposure to false information, online fraud, cyberbullying, unsafe relationships, examination malpractice, harmful content and excessive use of social media.</p><p></p></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><h2>Potential for Continuous Learning</h2><p class="isSelectedEnd">The positive and purposeful use of the internet could be instrumental in promoting continuous learning and improving literacy among the Nigerian population.</p><p>A learner is no longer completely limited by the textbooks available in a school library or by what a teacher can cover during classroom lessons. Through the internet, students can access recorded lessons, online courses, academic articles, instructional videos, past examination materials and explanations of difficult concepts.</p><h2>Update: July 2026</h2><p>The growth anticipated in the original article has continued. A 2026 NCC planning document reported approximately 144.8 million active internet subscriptions in Nigeria. This is a substantial increase from the approximately 81.9 million GSM internet subscriptions recorded in January 2015.</p><p class="isSelectedEnd">The argument of this article therefore remains relevant: increasing internet access presents an important opportunity, but access alone is not enough.</p><p>Nigeria must also promote digital literacy, provide better technology in schools, make educational content affordable and guide young people towards purposeful internet use.</p></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The time to promote the proper use of the internet is now.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
 </div>
</div>

INCREASING INTERNET SUBSCRIPTION AND ITS POTENTIAL FOR CONTINUE LEARNING IN NIGERIA

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) reported that the number of internet subscriptions on Global System for Mobile Communicatio...

Buhari Condoles with Kenya over Garissa University Attack

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA7VTSnmhan1Wg4hkSpmH75CvKGbpsAqlKQkxIdfjnb-CcO8HoeNhGUPr_l1nnFZlMh0wL8hRh1ES8mLn7i6hqtJgVe-4VmJec54U76ri-GNwNdFPl-Ht2lULgmiOQsCX-DsAYFEyOFLo/s640/CBpe-4fWEAAcT_Z.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" loading="lazy" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA7VTSnmhan1Wg4hkSpmH75CvKGbpsAqlKQkxIdfjnb-CcO8HoeNhGUPr_l1nnFZlMh0wL8hRh1ES8mLn7i6hqtJgVe-4VmJec54U76ri-GNwNdFPl-Ht2lULgmiOQsCX-DsAYFEyOFLo/s640/CBpe-4fWEAAcT_Z.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><blockquote><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><strong>Editorial note:</strong> This statement was issued following the terrorist attack on Garissa University College in Kenya on 2 April 2015. The attack claimed the lives of 147 Kenyans, most of them students.</span></p></blockquote><p>Nigeria’s President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), condemned the terrorist attack on Garissa University College and expressed his condolences to the Government and people of Kenya.</p><p>In a statement he signed on 5 April 2015, Buhari assured Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and the people of Kenya of Nigeria’s support and prayers.</p><p>Read the statement below:</p><blockquote><p>I wish to extend my condolences to the families of those who lost loved ones in the attack on Garissa University, and to all the people of Kenya at this sorrowful time.</p><p>There are those among us who will always find an excuse—religion, tribe and others—to take innocent lives. These terrorists are a scourge across Africa and the world, and we must confront them together, using all the tools at our disposal.</p><p>I want to assure the Kenyan President, Uhuru Kenyatta, and all Kenyans of Nigeria’s support and prayers, now and in the future.</p><p>With my deepest sympathies,</p><p><strong>Muhammadu Buhari</strong><br />President-elect<br />Federal Republic of Nigeria<br />5 April 2015</p></blockquote></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
 </div>
</div>

Buhari Condoles with Kenya over Garissa University Attack

Editorial note: This statement was issued following the terrorist attack on Garissa University College in Kenya on 2 April 2015. The atta...

2015 Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships - Developing Nations

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h4 style="text-align: justify;">
Scholarship description</h4>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguAviWOAM6z9dB0HxxPm0ImHY-zWCuCnJYD6D6HeaBipK1bxJRjkF6vN09SU2ortuhpsuKE38Q6RBuYU5kzirCsdBSn40DRngE75A61WLmK1n8tplRrH8IJgXFSrvhRjRxLrSmSP19Va0/s1600/csc-header-website.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="42" loading="lazy" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguAviWOAM6z9dB0HxxPm0ImHY-zWCuCnJYD6D6HeaBipK1bxJRjkF6vN09SU2ortuhpsuKE38Q6RBuYU5kzirCsdBSn40DRngE75A61WLmK1n8tplRrH8IJgXFSrvhRjRxLrSmSP19Va0/s1600/csc-header-website.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships support candidates to study Master’s degree courses that are either offered in partnership with universities in developing countries, or delivered directly by UK institutions.</div>
<h4 style="text-align: justify;">
Eligibility</h4>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
To be eligible for a Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarship, you must:</div>
<ul>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
be a citizen of a developing Commonwealth country, refugee, or British protected person</div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
be permanently resident in a developing Commonwealth country</div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
normally hold a first degree of upper second-class standard, or higher qualification. In certain cases, we will consider a lower qualification and sufficient relevant experience</div>
</li>
</ul>
<h4 style="text-align: justify;">
Eligible Nationalities</h4>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Nationals of Commonwealth Developing Countries (Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda Nauru, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana,  British Virgin Islands, Namibia, Cameroon, Dominica, Falkland Islands, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana,  India,  Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati,  Lesotho, Malawi, Malaysia,  Maldives, Mauritius, Montserrat, Mozambique,<strong> Nigeria</strong>, Pakistan, Papua New Guineas, Pitcairn, Rwanda, St Helena,  St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, South Africa,  Sri Lanka,  Swaziland, Tanzania, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tristan da Cunha, Turks and Caicos, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Western Samoa, and Zambia)</div>
<h4 style="text-align: justify;">
How to apply</h4>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
You <strong>must</strong> complete your application for a Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarship using our Electronic Application System (EAS) which available on the scholarship website provided below.</div>
<h4 style="text-align: justify;">
Website</h4>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Follow this link to the official website for more details :  <a href="http://cscuk.dfid.gov.uk/apply/distance-learning/info-candidates/" target="_blank">Common Wealth Scholarships</a></div>
<h4 style="text-align: justify;">
Deadline</h4>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The deadline for applications is <strong>23:59 (GMT)</strong> on <strong></strong>15 May 2015.</div>
</div>

2015 Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships - Developing Nations

Scholarship description Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships support candidates to study Master’s degree courses that are eith...

Akomst Education