oleh admin | Mar 27, 2025 | education, news, politics, school children, schools
Children who exhibit violent and disruptive behavior should be removed from schools in order to reinstate disciplinary standards, according to Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth.
She stated that poor conduct was the most significant issue for educators—and encouraged principals to expel students who consistently violate regulations and create chaos in the classroom.
The minister likewise admitted that the ‘atmospheric soundtrack’ associated with declining student behavior could be deterring possible applicants from pursuing teaching positions.
Following years of worry that principals were instructed to consider expulsion as a final option—with only one student facing permanent exclusion in the 2022-23 academic year—her intervention has come into play.
Last night Scottish
Tory
Miles Briggs, an education spokesperson, stated: “Jenny Gilruth has finally acknowledged that teachers are dealing with unacceptably bad behavior.”
‘This is something they’ve been raising concerns about for years, however, she fails to mention why, despite being the Education Secretary, she hasn’t taken any steps to address this problem.’
‘The
SNP
has overseen a downturn in our educational institutions and immediate steps need to be taken to turn it around.”
Numerous educators claim that exclusions are not increasing since the punishment has essentially been banned; however, Ms. Gilruth maintains that schools still have the authority to exclude students.


She stated: ‘It is acceptable for you to exclude—clearly, you have the right to exclude.’
‘Clearly, both at the national and local levels, we anticipate that different approaches will be employed; however, inevitably, this leads to exclusion, which is indeed appropriate.’
Ms. Gilruth stated that she wouldn’t mind seeing exclusions increase because this could signify better incident reporting by employees.
She informed TES Scotland, the educational publication: “Encouraging more reports is something we greatly wish for.”
‘Yes, this could lead to an increase in exclusions; however, they serve a purpose as a measure that teachers can use as a consequence.’
‘That’s why we don’t want them to feel discouraged from utilizing it since it’s meant to assist them with their tasks.’
Regarding student behavior and teacher hiring, Ms. Gilruth stated: “We aim to make teaching an appealing profession for individuals. However, I realize that the prevailing attitude towards discipline could be deterring potential teachers. Still, it’s important to recognize that even with these difficulties, most of our students behave appropriately at school.”
When asked about the position of student behavior in her list of priorities, Ms. Gilruth stated, “Regarding challenges, I believe the biggest one is definitely maintaining good conduct.”
The stricter stance of the SNP on behavior comes after alarming statistics revealed escalating violence in educational institutions.
Earlier this month, reports from the Mail indicated that educators requested self-defense courses due to growing worries about an increase in classroom violence within Scottish schools.
Principals at schools in Aberdeenshire and Edinburgh were requested to offer additional instruction aimed at boosting teacher safety as staff expressed feelings of fear.
SNP ministers have been encouraged to adopt a stricter stance on addressing harassment, bullying, and aggression in educational institutions following recent disclosures.
The NASUWT teaching union recently stated that children as young as four are participating in an upsurge of classroom aggression, resulting in almost 40% of educators experiencing assaults involving weapons such as knives, hockey sticks, and chairs.
About 83 percent of employees stated that ‘violent and aggressive’ behavior had escalated, even though the SNP government initiated a ‘national action plan on relationships and behavior’ last year.
Patrick Roach, the general secretary of NASUWT, stated: “The well-being and protection of educators and students must not be left to luck.”
Startling statistics from last July showed that educators face an attack by a student approximately every four minutes, totaling over 16,000 incidents during the preceding school year.
Last year, Ms. Gilruth faced criticism following the release of new guidelines from the Scottish Government, which advised teachers to exhibit ‘warmth’ and ’emotional responsiveness’ towards disruptive students in the classroom.
A ‘course of action’ document released by the Education Secretary acknowledged that school personnel have cautioned about the ‘absence of significant repercussions for unruly behavior’.
However, it demanded ‘great warmth and support, high standards, and significant expectations regarding socially responsible behavior’.
The Scottish Government guidelines instruct educators not to use the term ‘bully’ to prevent causing distress among students. Instead, they should involve law enforcement when children are believed to have committed a hate crime.
In the TES Scotland interview, Ms. Gilruth also expressed worry about the increasing number of students departing from school after their fourth year.
In 2023-24, 14.4 percent of students who left schools were in S4, an increase from 11.6 percent in 2013-14.
Ms. Gilruth mentioned that the feedback she got from principals indicated the cost-of-living crisis is ‘causing young individuals to leave their educational pursuits for entering the workforce’.
This investigation is currently being handled by the Association of Directors of Education in Scotland, which represents local authority education heads.
Yesterday evening, Tory MSP Mr. Briggs stated: “With the SNP in charge, standards have declined, the number of teachers has decreased, and the examining authority has faced multiple setbacks.”
‘Teachers have been forced to deal with inappropriate and sometimes aggressive behavior, disrupting the learning of other students.’
Read more
oleh admin | Mar 27, 2025 | government, news, politics, politics and government, trains
New Delhi
[March 28] [in India], (ANI News): The President of the Tamil Nadu branch of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) stated that
K Annamalai
Met with the Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology as well as the Minister of Railways,
Ashwini Vaishnaw
On Thursday at his office, he participated in a combined review meeting during which a new train service was introduced.
At the meeting, following the input gathered from the community, Vaishnaw sanctioned the launch of a new railway service connecting Tambaram with Rameswaram. This train itinerary includes stops at Chidambaram, Thiruvarur, and Thiruthirapoondi.
On social platform X, Annamalai shared a post stating, “It was delightful to meet our Honorable Minister of State Thiru @Murugan_MoSavl along with our esteemed Hon Railway Minister Thiru @AshwiniVaishnawavl at his office today for a collaborative review meeting.”
“The review meeting was joined by representatives from eight districts in Tamil Nadu as well as officials at the district level from @BJP4TamilNadu. Following the input provided by attendees and a submission made by @BJP4TamilNadu, our esteemed Railway Minister sanctioned a new service—a train running from Tambaram to Rameswaram with stops in Chidambaram, Thiruvarur, and Thiruthirapoondi,” the message stated.
Annamalai mentioned that the new train service was set to start on April 6, 2025, aligning with the opening ceremony of the first updated vertical lift Pamban Bridge by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“We are equally pleased to observe that this new train service will commence operations on April 6, 2025, coinciding with the unveiling of the newly constructed first vertical lift Pamban Bridge by our esteemed Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi,” the message continued.
Earlier in the day, Annamalai also criticized Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin regarding the current controversy surrounding the three-language policy. He referred to him as a “con artist” pretending to be a guardian of the constitution.
On a post on X, Annamalai claimed that the DMK is defrauding both wealthy and impoverished individuals. “Honorable @mkstalin, you pose as a guardian of our Constitution and federal system, yet you are essentially a swindler. Typically, fraudsters target the affluent, but the DMK does not discriminate—they cheat both the rich and the poor alike,” Annamalai stated.
The BJP leader highlighted the inconsistency of MK Stalin by pointing out that although the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu comes from a family that runs private schools teaching three languages, he is against implementing a similar multilingual education approach in the state’s public schools.
“The entire nation is aware that the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu’s family runs private institutions offering education in multiple languages including three official ones, yet they oppose implementing a similar approach in public schools run by the state government. People are labeling you as a hypocrite, Thiru @mkstalin,” stated the BJP leader. (ANI)
Provided by Syndigate Media Inc. (
Syndigate.info
).
oleh admin | Mar 27, 2025 | military, news, search and rescue, ukraine, weapons
Search operations persisted into Thursday for four absent U.S. servicemen close to the Belarus frontier in Lithuania following the discovery of their vehicle underwater one day prior.
The M88 Hercules armored vehicle was found submerged over five meters deep. Following this discovery, sufficient water was pumped out to allow for excavation work, as stated by Lithuania’s Defense Minister Dovilė Šakalienė.
She stated that “every scenario remains plausible” concerning the soldiers’ status, since it had yet to be verified if they were still within the vehicle.
The Lithuanian national radio and television station, LRT, reported that on Tuesday afternoon, four U.S. servicemen along with their vehicle went missing during a training exercise at the General Silvestras Žukauskas training grounds in Pabradė, a town situated less than ten kilometers away from the Belarus border.
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As stated by Šakalienė, the rescue operations persisted through the night, involving water removal and strengthening of the terrain to allow heavy machinery to reach the location safely without compromising a nearby gas pipeline.
Lithuanian authorities characterize the search and rescue mission as extremely intricate, involving “hundreds of individuals” from different backgrounds such as Lithuanian and U.S. forces, multiple governmental organizations, and private enterprises.
The US Ambassador to Lithuania, Kara McDonald, stated, “We will continue our efforts until our service members are located,” and expressed gratitude to the Lithuanian government and officials for their assistance in the search operation.
“Lithuania serves as an exemplary ally, and we are immensely thankful for their assistance,” she stated.
Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, which gained their independence from the Soviet Union in 1990 and subsequently became part of NATO, frequently experience strained relationships with Russia and Belarus.
Tensions escalated even more after Russia initiated its extensive military operation against Ukraine in 2022. During this time, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda emerged as one of the strongest voices among European leaders backing Ukraine’s struggle against Russian aggression.
oleh admin | Mar 27, 2025 | local news, news, politics, politics and government, politics and law
CEBU – Just one day prior to the commencement of the formal campaign period, aspirants vying for positions in the upcoming May elections in Consolacion town, Cebu, took part in a Unity Walk and signed a Peace Covenant on Thursday, March 27.
The event took place at the municipal gymnasium, with the candidates committing themselves to maintaining a peaceful, organized, sincere, and trustworthy electoral process.
At minimum, four different political groups along with various individuals running independently are competing for roles in Consolacion, such as spots for city councillors.
“We always pray for a peaceful election. This is not my first time participating in the electoral process, but I always trust everything to the Lord. Dinhi sa Consolacion, wala gyud na nahitabo nga adunay dili maayo,” said incumbent Mayor Teresa “Nene” Alegado, who is seeking re-election under the Lakas party. (We always pray for a peaceful election. This is not my first time participating in the electoral process, but I always trust everything to the Lord. Here in Consolacion, nothing bad has ever happened)
“Ang significance gyud ani’ng peace covenant is the unity of all the candidates. We manifest that we will exercise a fair and honest election, free of violence,” said Blessilda “Bingol” Villo, a mayoral candidate from PDP-Laban. (The true significance of this peace covenant is the unity of all the candidates. We affirm our commitment to holding a fair and honest election, free from violence.)
“Even when slandering each other, we genuinely tried not to engage in such behavior,” stated mayoral hopeful Raul Isoto from the Promdi party. (We indeed put in efforts to steer clear of any kind of defamation.)
“Sa among team Uswag, usa ra nimoamong panalipyohan—ingon pud namon kini nga dili ta pangutana sa imong mga kas bulanon,” angay niya si Mayoral Candidate Mike Mercado haingil niining Partido Federal ng Pilipinas. (“For our team Uswag, this is indeed our aspiration—to refrain from speaking negatively about one another.” “We simply aim to remain positive.”)
Prior to the ceremony, a Holy Mass took place at San Narciso Parish, after which everyone joined a Unity Walk that guided them towards the municipal gymnasium.
The event was arranged by the Consolacio Municipal Police Station in cooperation with the local Comelec office.
“Let this occasion remind us that genuine leadership cannot be judged merely by success, but rather through honor, accountability, and dedication to the democratic values we collectively strive to maintain,” stated Police Lieutenant Colonel Eunil Avergonzado, who serves as the Chief of Police for Consolacion.
At the end of the event, Comelec-Consolacio Election Officer Ferdinand Hortelano cautioned the contenders to make sure their promotional items are displayed solely in specified zones. He encouraged them to clear out any posters or banners situated in restricted spots prior to the official start of campaigning.
“Kapag kami na ang Committee on Baklas ang mag-ihand sa mga materyales dahil hindi sila nagbigay ng sapat na kadahilanhan, susoggyan namin silang i-release with a show cause order. Kung huwag silang sumunod, iaasahan na lang ng legal office ang proseso,” ani ni Hortelano.
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oleh admin | Mar 27, 2025 | broadcast media, business, journalism, news, news media
The Bilyonaryo News Channel (BNC) keeps expanding its footprint in the domestic broadcasting scene, securing multiple accolades this week at the PMPC Star Awards for Television.
At the top of the honors list for the network stood their evening news broadcast “Agenda,” hosted by seasoned journalists Korina Sanchez-Roxas and Pinky Webb, taking home the title of Best News Program. Additionally, Sanchez-Roxas received accolades as Best Female Newscaster, and Webb’s show “On Point” claimed the prize for Best Public Affairs Program.
Marie Lozano was recognized as the Best Lifestyle Host for her work on “Lifestyle Lab,” and in other segments, sports presenter Anton Roxas earned the title of Best Sports Host. Additionally, his program “The Scorecard” also garnered an accolade within its respective category.
BNC is rapidly becoming a key figure in the world of broadcast television after making a successful shift from digital media. Leveraging the skills of talented individuals who excel both on-screen and off, the network is well-placed for continued expansion and advancement within the sector. It is progressively assembling a range of news and public affairs content tailored to meet the demands of contemporary viewers.
As stated by BNC management, they intend to keep expanding content creation for both conventional and digital channels. They conveyed profound appreciation for the acknowledgments from the PMPC Star Awards, serving as an initial measure of validation for the team’s endeavors following the launch of their TV broadcasts.
BNC can be watched on free-to-air BEAM TV channel 31, Sky Cable channel 33, Cignal channel 24, Converge channel 74, as well as through digital streaming with Cignal Play.
oleh admin | Mar 27, 2025 | entertainment, film festivals, local news, news, politics
PARK CITY, Utah (AP) — On Thursday, the Sundance Film Festival declared that
its new home
will take place in Boulder, Colorado, beginning in 2027, following a 40-year stint in Park City, Utah.
This choice concludes an extensive year-long competition where multiple American cities aspired to become home to the renowned independent film festival—a platform pivotal for many filmmakers, performers, and Academy Award hopefuls. In the final round of selection, Boulder, Cincinnati in Ohio, along with a joint proposal from Salt Lake City and Park City emerged as top candidates.
Sundance’s newest retreat in Boulder also boasts a link to its creator.
Robert Redford,
Who went to school there during the 1950s?
Below are some of the responses to Sundance’s impending relocation:
In our state, we honor the arts and film industry as a major force behind our economy, generating numerous employment opportunities and playing an essential role in fostering our vibrant cultural scene. With the introduction of the renowned Sundance Film Festival, we anticipate further growth in job creation, which will greatly support local enterprises such as shops and eateries. This was stated by Colorado Governor Jared Polis.
“As I mentioned right from the start, our aim was for Sundance to remain with us. We conveyed this clearly to their management team and crafted an extremely attractive offer. In the end, the choice rests solely with them; however, I feel this would be a misstep, and eventually, they will recognize that they have forsaken more than just a location—they’re giving up part of their legacy,” stated Utah Governor Spencer Cox.
“The Sundance Film Festival serves as a driving force for innovation, artistic expression, and the unveiling of pioneering independent movies that motivate and influence the next chapter of narrative artistry. This endeavor offered us a chance to envision how we can revamp the festival without straying from our core values and objectives.” —Amanda Kelso, acting Sundance CEO, stated this.
“By making this change, we aim to maintain the festival’s commitment to embracing risks, backing inventive storytellers, encouraging autonomy, and captivating as well as educating our audience. I extend my gratitude to the Boulder community for their backing, and I’m eager to witness what the upcoming days hold for the festival in that location.” — stated Redford.
“Although we’re naturally disappointed with this outcome, the State of Utah, along with Park City and Salt Lake City, have consistently been valued collaborators of the Festival. We appreciate the enduring influence it has imparted upon our communities. Our dedication to nurturing artistry remains steadfast within Utah’s borders, as the essence of narrative will perpetually flourish here.” — a collective declaration issued by the leaders of Park City, Salt Lake City, and the Utah Film Commission.
“Although Cincinnati wasn’t chosen as the venue for the Sundance Film Festival, we take pride in showcasing our city’s vibrant contribution to the film sector,” stated Kristen Schlotman, president of Film Cincinnati.
___
Hannah Schoenbaum and John Seewer from the Associated Press contributed to this report.