2nd Edition Of Current News On Students And Education In Africa Dubbed “AASU WEEKLY”

1. ANGOLA: Angolan government expects to increase number of students in China

The Secretary of State for Higher Education, António Miguel André, reaffirmed over last weekend in Beijing (People's Republic of China), the will of the Angolan government to increase the number of students in several teaching institutions in that Asian country, mainly in the engineering fields.

Source:
http://www.portalangop.co.ao/angola
2. BOTSWANA: Botswana government values education
Addressing South African parliamentarians, Botswana's chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Education, Mr. Bagalatia Arone noted that the Ministry of Education and Skills Development received P8.7 billion in the last budget which was a clear testimony that the government values the education of its people.

Source: http://www.dailynews.gov.bw/news
3. CAMEROON: Graduates Await Certificates
The issue of the instant delivery of diplomas to graduates in the higher education sector has been a quagmire in the lives of millions of Cameroonians who for over two decades have been grappling with testimonials which often meet rejection or doubt in employment. Most universities are yet to respect the ministerial instruction to issue diplomas instantly.

SOURCE: http://world.einnews.com/article
4. CAPE VERDE: Cape Verde's educational renaissance

Cape Verde's education system has undergone a remarkable and positive transformation since the country gained its independence from Portugal in 1975. It has gone from an illiteracy rate of close to 80% at independence, to a literacy rate of about 90% now.

Source: http://www.theworldfolio.com/news
5. EGYPT: GUC Students Union to meet the university administration to demand a “semester drop” for expelled student Abdul Rahman.

The German University in Cairo (GUC) Students Union is expected to hold an official meeting with the University administration this week demanding a “semester drop” for expelled student Abdul Rahman.”. There is no specified date for the meeting yet, but we are moving forward with all the official procedures to help Abdul Rahman gain his right” said Students Union president Hesham Al-asharm.

6. GHANA:
AASU DONATES TO LIBERIAN NATIONAL STUDENTS UNION (LINSU)

Within the framework of its efforts to create awareness on the deadly Ebola virus and impel Africans to come to the aid of the distressed and victims of natural calamities and violent conflicts on the African continent, the Secretariat of the All Africa Students Union (AASU) has made a token presentation of twenty (20) bags of rice to the Liberian National Students Union (LINSU) through the Embassy of the Republic of Liberia in Ghana on Monday 27th October 2014.The AASU delegation was led by the Secretary General of AASU Mr. Awaah Fred; others included the Deputy Secretary General Mr. Richmond O. Neufville, a Liberian national; the Secretary for Finance and Administration, Mr. EdemAmou, a Togolese national and some staff.

7. GHANA: The National Labour Commission (NLC) has directed the three striking Teacher Unions to call off their two-day old strike and return to the classroom.

The directive was given after a meeting convened by the NLC and attended by the representatives of the three teacher unions, Finance Minister Seth Terkper and the Chief Executive of the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission George Smith Graham.

Although the NLC did not offer any explanation about the directive, it is believed the Commission might have hinted to the unions that their action was illegal.

8. KENYA: Red Deer College Welcomes Kenyan Education Delegation

Representatives from the Kenyan Education sector made a special visit to Red Deer College last week, as their delegation explored Alberta's approach to education. The Kenyan delegation was led by the Hon. Daniel Karaba Dickson, a senior senator from their government.

“It's always a privilege when we have an opportunity to share the RDC story with visitors from across the world,” says RDC President & CEO Joel Ward. President Ward, along with representatives from Alberta Education and Alberta Innovation and Advanced Education, toured the Kenyan delegation through RDC's main campus.

9. LIBERIA: School Administrator Fears Consequences On Post-Ebola Education

As Liberians pray and look up to seeing the country freed of the Ebola virus, the principal of the G.W. Gibson High School is suggesting a vigorous counseling program to be set up in all schools in the republic to deal with students.

The G.W. Gibson High School is a public school that forms part of the Monrovia Consolidated School System (MCSS). It accommodates over 2,000 students, many of them self-supporting.

10. MALAWI: Malawi President opens 1st university for science

Malawi President Peter Mutharika, on Friday, inaugurated the Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST), the southern African country's first university devoted exclusively to science.

The university will offer five-year bachelor's degree programs in biomedical studies, chemical engineering and metallurgical engineering, as well as a master's of science innovation program, according to university council chairman Prof. John Saka.

The university, the brainchild of late President Binguwa Mutharika, will also offer programs in traditional medicine.

SOURCE:-:http://www.faceofmalawi.com/2014
11. MALAWI: Madame President Commends Balaka Authorities In Their Efforts Towards Children Development–

Malawi's first lady Madame Gertrude Hendrina Mutharika has hailed Bakhitha Primary School authorities in their unending contributions towards the development of children in Balaka... –

SOURCE: http://www.faceofmalawi.com
12. NAMIBIA:
Loudima Institute for Technical and Vocational Training opens in 2014.

Good progress has been made on the construction, rehabilitation and development of the Loudima Institute for Technical and Vocational Training, and is set to commence with its first academic year in late 2014. Loudima Institute for Technical and Vocational Training was established with the aim to create a cadre of graduates with competencies and skills in line with the national and international standards in order to meet the demands of industry locally and internationally.

13. NIGERIA: NUC Shuts Nine Universities over Illegal License.

For operating without legal licensees, the National Universities Commission, NUC, has shut down nine universities in Nigeria.

The affected institutions were published in the weekly bulletin of the NUC, this is according to ynaija.com.

It was gathered that the publication was signed by the NUC's executive secretary, Prof. Julius Okojie, stating that the universities which had been in existence for years, and have been used to extort money from innocent students who were giving fake certificates in return.

The affected universities are; National University of Nigeria, Keffi, Nasarawa State; North Central University, Otukpo, Benue State; Christ Alive Christian Seminary and University, Enugu; Richmond Open University, Arochukwu; Abia State and Saint Clements University, IyinEkiti, Ekiti State.

SOURCE: http://www.google.com.gh
14. RWANDA: Joint Review Of The Educational Sector
In one day meeting held today at Kigali, the Ministry of Education together with different education stakeholders met for a backward-looking joint review aimed at strengthening quality education, based on 2013-2018 Education Sector Strategic Plan (ESSP).

In his opening remarks, the Minister of Education Prof. Silas Lwakabamba thanked the stakeholders for their continued support. As for the objectives of the meeting, he said “This review is yet another opportunity to collectively reflect on the past and plan the future together” . He further stressed that the meeting is an occasion to discuss priority areas for the fiscal year 2015/2016 for the education sector in line with EDPRS2/ESSP and called for the support.

SOURCE: http://www.google.com.gh
15. SENEGAL: Senegalese Students Bullied Over Ebola

It's nearly impossible to get Ebola from casual contact, but fear of the disease is believed to have led to the bullying of two children in the Bronx. NY1's Michael Herzenberg filed the following report. Ousmane Drame says his two children loved I.S. 318 when they started two weeks ago. But just a few days, it all changed.

"They beat them. They beat them. I take them to hospital. I go to the emergency room. I do all kind what I have to do. I call the police department. Whatever I have to do, I do it. I inform the city something's wrong," Drame says.

Drame is a board member of the Senegalese American Association and received support from elected officials Monday. The family and African immigrant leaders met with school officials.

SOURCE: https://www.google.com.gh
16. SEYCHELLES: Teacher Shortages Threaten The World's Education, Says Unesco

In the next sixteen years, sub-Saharan Africa will need to train and recruit an additional 6.2 million teachers to meet the demands of its fast-growing population. In this part of the world, for every 100 children in 2012, there will be 147 primary school-age children in 2030.

According to a new report by the United Nations' Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), more than 70 percent of countries across the region are already faced with an acute shortage of teachers, and by 2030, Sub-Saharan Africa will need to fill 3.9 million vacant positions due to existing teachers retiring or leaving the profession.

The region will then have to create 2.3 million entirely new teaching positions to keep on track with its goal of achieving universal primary education for all children, with a maximum of 40 children per class.

SOURCE: http://www.google.com.gh
17. SIERRA LEONE:
Cut Off From School, Children In Ebola-Stricken Sierra Leone Get Lessons By Radio

Because of the Ebola epidemic, schools are closed in Sierra Leone, a country with about 2 million school-aged children. So as the deadliest Ebola outbreak in history continues to rage, government officials have launched a project to deliver school lessons to those kids over the airwaves.

For six days a week, Sierra Leone's children can listen to four-hour lessons on dozens of the country's radio stations, along with its only television channel, the AFP reported.

SOURCE: http://www.google.com.gh
18. ZAMBIA: Bayport Bails Out 10 UNZA Students
Bayport Financial Services has awarded full scholarships to 10 University of Zambia (UNZA) first year students for this academic year to cover tuition, accommodation and monthly allowances. The scholarships amount to K504, 755.08.

Bayport Financial Services Executive Director Martha Akapelwa said her company also awarded partial scholarships to 40 students who have been granted government bursaries but have not been able to meet other outstanding fee payments.

Mrs. Akapelwa said 60 percent of the scholarships have been awarded to female students.

19. ZIMBABWE:
No Sex Please, You're Students: Zimbabwe University

Student Union Says Bid To Prevent Students Kissing In Public Is Part Of Wider Repression.

The Zimbabwe students' union is making war, not love, on a new code of conduct banning students from kissing on campus at the country's top university.

In a circular displayed at halls of residence, authorities at the University of Zimbabwe said students “caught in any intimate position such as kissing or having sex in public places” would be punished.

The university also barred resident students from bringing members of the opposite sex to their hostels and “loitering in dark places outside the sports pavilion or lecture venues”.

Student leader Gilbert Mutubuki said students would resist the restrictions, introduced two weeks ago.

“We are against these rules which we view as archaic, repressive and evil,” said Mutubuki, president of the Zimbabwe National Students Union.

“We are urging students to resist the rules. These rules reduce the university to a primary school. The authorities need to be reminded that this is an institute for adults who are mature.”

For Further Information on Any Issue Relating To AASU WEEKLY ONLINE

Please Contact:
Awaah Fred
(Secretary General)
0243101626