by admin | Mar 30, 2025 | education, politics and government, public education, school children, schools
Campaigners claim that one out of every eight families with special educational needs (SEND) children attending private schools has had to relocate their homes because of what they describe as Labour’s tax assault.
Education Not Taxation (ENT), a parental organization, conducted a survey of 1,600 households that pay fees for their children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Among these participants, 12 percent indicated that they had relocated or reduced their living space to cover the costs associated with Labour’s 20 percent.
VAT
Regarding tuition costs for private schools, which were implemented in January.
In the meantime, 21 percent of those surveyed indicated that they refinanced their home to cope with increased expenses.
The findings showed that 57 percent limited their use of heating, 71 percent decreased their expenditure on food, and 72 percent curtailed their travel to manage the impact of the VAT.
As families gear up to contest the VAT policy in the High Court tomorrow [Tuesday], they argue that it disproportionately affects children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
Approximately 100,000 students in private schools require special educational needs support, as numerous parents choose to withdraw from the public education system due to insufficient provisions for these needs.
Conditions range from autism,
ADHD
Along with dyspraxia, individuals may face severe hearing, vision, and mobility problems.
The ENT stated that the VAT is increasing family bills by approximately £300 per child each month on average.
Loveena Tandon, spokesperson for ENT, stated: “It is unfair to compel families to sell their homes or forego essential needs like heat and food just so they can shield their children from challenges and provide them with the best possible beginning in life.”
‘The only individuals turning a blind eye to what’s occurring are the ministers, thus they should be ashamed for causing hardship to young children.’
Last week, ENT carried out an online survey focused on fee-paying parents of SEND children through their campaign Facebook group, which has 25,000 members.
Out of those who participated, 98 percent felt that their child’s requirements cannot be adequately addressed within the public education system.
Nevertheless, 46 percent indicated they might still transfer their child to a state school due to the higher expenses.
The Shadow Education Minister, Neil O’Brien, stated: “A tax on education proposed by Labour will have devastating consequences for parents, students, and educators.”
‘Tens of thousands of special education needs and disabilities (SEND) students face potential disruptions to their education. They might be compelled to leave the private sector and enter an overburdened public system that cannot accommodate them, forcing parents to make agonizing decisions.’
‘Labour seems more focused on following their flawed ideology rather than taking the correct course of action.’
Munira Wilson, the spokesperson for education from the Liberal Democrats, stated: “This policy is jeopardizing the educational opportunities for children with special needs.”
‘The educational tax amid the crisis of the state’s special needs system is adding further strain to an already faltering framework.’
A limited number of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) manage to obtain an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), which offers a more extensive form of government-supported assistance.
A government representative stated: “Less than 0.1 percent of students are anticipated to switch schools this year due to the removal of tax exemptions for private institutions, compared to more than a million available slots in educational facilities nationwide.”
Eliminating tax exemptions for private institutions could boost funding for public education, potentially generating an additional £1.8 billion annually by 2030.
‘In our Plan for Change, we are reconsidering how the SEND system should be structured to broaden opportunities, rebuild the trust of families nationwide, and provide the enhancements they desperately seek.’
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by admin | Mar 27, 2025 | colleges and universities, education, higher education, news, public education
New Delhi [India], March 27 (ANI):
Jesus and Mary College
(JMC) has mandated a reassessment of salaries for teachers who earned PhDs, M.Phils., or ME degrees after January 1, 2016.
UGC
instruction terminating distinct increases for advanced degrees after the 7th Pay Commission.
The
JMC Staff Association
has vehemently disagreed with the decision, contending that it essentially cancels out the Ph.D. and M.Phil. increments awarded under
UGC
Regulations 2018.
The directive, providing clarifications from the
University Grants Commission
(
UGC
) and the
Ministry of Education
(previously known as MHRD), refers to an October 15, 2024,
UGC
Letter to JMC dated November 2, 2017, from MHRD, along with a follow-up
UGC
a letter sent to all Central Universities on February 10, 2025.
The Administration department might adjust the salaries of the teaching staff members listed here as of March 1, 2025. This adjustment applies specifically to those who earned a Ph.D., M.Phil, or M.E. degree following the enforcement of the 7th Pay Commission starting January 1, 2016. The Accounts Department must enforce this change effective from March 1, 2025, according to the notice issued on February 24.
Under the previous
UGC
According to regulations, teachers had the right to receive non-compound advances when they attained higher qualifications. For instance, faculty members were awarded five advanced increments for obtaining a Ph.D. and two for earning an M.Phil. at the point of their hiring. Furthermore, staff members who acquired these degrees during their employment were given three increments for a Ph.D. and one increment for an M.Phil., respectively.
However, the recent
UGC
The clarification indicates that the advantages of advanced degrees had been incorporated into the compensation framework via the Career Advancement Scheme (CAS). Consequently, additional increases for earning Ph.D. or M.Phil. degrees after January 1, 2016, are being eliminated. This adjustment has raised worries among faculty about possible decreases in their salaries as well as potential salary repayments.
JMC educators assert that this change will lead to financial difficulties and psychological strain because it upsets their current compensation framework.
Over 50 educators are not receiving the salaries they deserve according to
UGC
The regulations from 2018 are leading to significant demoralization and psychological strain among educators who have structured their careers based on the previous compensation framework,” stated the organization in a release.
At the Governing Body assembly held on March 21, 2025, the team asked the institution to suspend the re-assessment procedure until further notice.
UGC
An expert panel established on March 6, 2025, presents its suggestions. Nonetheless, the administration turned down the petition, instructing the institution to move forward with the salary adjustment process in March as planned.
Describing the choice as “regrettable,” the organization contended that altering compensation without modifying the
UGC
The regulations from 2018 conflict with legal standards.
In protest, the
JMC Staff Association
organized a sit-in protest on campus between 11 AM and 1 PM on Thursday, coinciding with the
Delhi University
The Teachers’ Association (DUTA)’s appeal for university-wide demonstrations against the
UGC
clarification, the draft
UGC
Rules 2025, Delhi University’s suggested acquisition of 12 colleges under the Delhi government, along with the evaluation of previous service periods for promotion purposes.
Meanwhile, the
Delhi University
The Teachers’ Association (DUTA) organized demonstrations at multiple colleges addressing concerns affecting educators. According to their statement, DUTA vehemently opposes the refusal to grant PhDs, M.Phils, and salary increases, along with the disregard of previous service years when considering promotions. These actions have resulted in significant financial harm and inequity for teachers.
The organization mentioned that according to the
UGC
In accordance with Regulations 2018, educators were eligible for straightforward advances without compounding to pursue advanced degrees. Nevertheless, the institution is currently revoking this advantage due to an erroneous understanding of these guidelines.
UGC
‘s recent clarification. (ANI)
Provided by Syndigate Media Inc. (
Syndigate.info
).
by admin | Mar 24, 2025 | asia, education, educational systems, public education, thailand
The Office of the Education Council (OEC) has dismissed a report that ranked Thailand’s educational system lower than those of most other ASEAN nations, stating that the rankings lacked concrete evidence and did not accurately depict the present circumstances.
According to the 2025 education rankings from World Population Review, a site focused on demographic information, Thailand ranks 107th out of 203 nations surveyed and falls behind most Southeast Asian neighbors. The top-ranking ASEAN country is Singapore at position 11, followed by Brunei at 47, Indonesia at 67, Vietnam at 53, the Philippines at 71, Malaysia at 89, and Laos at 102. Among all ASEAN members, only Myanmar and Cambodia have worse placements than Thailand.
The top ranking went to South Korea, with Denmark and the Netherlands following closely behind.
Associate Professor Prawit Erawan, who serves as the secretary-general of the OEC, stated that the rankings were at odds with the information cited from the yearly Best Countries Report compiled by US News and World Report, BAV Group, and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
The report encompassed 73 nations and placed Thailand at 48th position, ranking third within ASEAN after Singapore at 22nd and Malaysia at 37th. Laos and Brunei did not appear in the listings.
Mr. Prawit stated that The World Population Review didn’t provide additional details about the rankings. Therefore, claiming that Thailand was at the lower end might be premature and should be examined and understood with caution.
He mentioned that additional data displayed on the site included the literacy rates per country as of 2021, failing to capture the present circumstances.
The OEC has been carrying out its independent evaluation of literacy rates among Thai individuals who are 15 years old and above. According to him, the preliminary literacy rate stood at 99%, which is the highest within ASEAN. The definitive outcomes will be released towards the end of this month.
Mr. Prawit stated that every organization has its distinct objectives and roles. Individuals ought to concentrate on the literacy rates since they provide a clearer indication of the comparative strengths and weaknesses of different countries.
Mr. Prawit mentioned that the World Population Review rankings highlighted the necessity for Thailand to remain vigilant and take decisive action regarding issues within its educational framework and strive for further development of the sector.
Provided by Syndigate Media Inc. (
Syndigate.info
).
