Universities pride themselves on being bastions of equality and diversity. But if new figures from the University and College Union (UCU) are anything to go by, it seems they also continue to remain dominated by those from white, middle-class backgrounds – and this isn’t just about about the students. More...
Some people benefit from being naturally mentally tough, but it can be taught to those who aren’t
The saying that “whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger” is simplistic, disingenuous, and potentially destructive. While it’s true that some who experience horrible events are stronger for surviving them, this is probably only true if they were strong to begin with. In the face of horrible events, others are more likely to be traumatised and suffer for years or decades after. More...
Breastfeeding can help tackle climate crisis but it’s on governments, not mums to save the world
In the midst of debates about how to best tackle the climate crisis, breastfeeding was recently highlighted as a significant way women can help to make a difference. But while there is no doubt of the important role breastfeeding can play, there must be caution in the way such messages are communicated. More...
Abolishing private schools is admirable, but won’t make choosing a state one any easier for parents
Labour has voted on plans to abolish private schools by removing their charitable status and redistributing their wealth to the state sector. At the party’s conference delegates approved a motion for this to be included in the party’s next general election manifesto. More...
Academic freedom: repressive government measures taken against universities in more than 60 countries
Universities around the world are increasingly under threat from governments restricting their ability to teach and research freely. Higher education institutions are being targeted because they are the home of critical inquiry and the free exchange of ideas. And governments want to control universities out of fear that allowing them to operate freely might ultimately limit governmental power to operate without scrutiny. More...
There are differences between free speech, hate speech and academic freedom – and they matter
Last week, posters appeared at the University of Auckland inviting young white men to “assume the mantle of re-taking control of our own country” and to confront “anti-racism ideology”.
The group was obviously unaware of the significance of the British High Commissioner’s expression of regret, in the same week, for the killing of several Māori people during their first encounter with the English explorer James Cook in 1769. More...
Changing the terminology to ‘people with obesity’ won’t reduce stigma against fat people
The British Psychological Society is calling for changes for how we talk about fatness, suggesting we should no longer use the phrase “obese people”, but instead, “people with obesity” or “people living with obesity”. More...
Cara terbaik dan murah jaga kesehatan anak: ajak mereka bermain di luar rumah
Bayangkan sebuah solusi yang dapat melawan epidemi obesitas saat ini, kecemasan, dan depresi yang mempengaruhi anak-anak dan remaja saat ini. Bayangkan bahwa solusi ini juga dapat meningkatkan kesehatan otak, kreativitas, dan pencapaian akademis, serta mempersiapkan anak-anak kita untuk menghadapi dunia kerja yang berubah dengan cepat. More...
Pendidikan trans-ASEAN mengajak mahasiswa mengalami wawasan regional yang sesungguhnya
Perayaan ulang tahun ke-50 ASEAN pada Agustus tahun lalu mulai meredup, dan sekarang justru perhatian tertuju pada pelbagai tugas demi mencapai visi ambisius untuk menciptakan masyarakat ekonomi, sosial budaya, dan politik yang terintegrasi. Pendidikan adalah satu bidang yang dianggap berperan penting dalam proses pembentukan masyarakat ASEAN ini. More...
Guru makin sejahtera di era desentralisasi, tapi tidak berdampak pada kualitas pendidikan
Lebih dari 60% anggaran pendidikan secara nasional digunakan untuk meningkatkan kesejahteraan guru. Anggaran tersebut terserap hampir seratus persen di semua daerah. Namun menaikkan gaji guru pegawai negeri dan memberikan tunjangan profesi guru rupanya tidak langsung meningkatkan kualitas siswa dan lulusan sekolah. More...